Saturday, November 25, 2006
Essential Oils & Dried Herbs
When herbs are grown for the purpose of creating supplements, they are not usually grown organically. Then they are harvested and taken into warehouses where they are dried with big blowers. Then they're chopped, capped, bottled, and packaged, and weeks, months, or even years later, we buy them and take them. And they STILL help us, but it usually takes awhile.
Have you ever dried a rose? What did it smell like after you dried it? Not much? That's because the essential oil of rose is very delicate and vaporizes easily into the air. Once it's dried, very little of the essential oil is still left. It's the same with herbs. Once an herb is dried, it only contains 3 - 5% of its essential oil, and it's the ESSENTIAL OIL that gets us well! And in the process of drying the herb, many molecules found in the essential oil of the plant are lost altogether because they are volitile oils and evaporate. So yes, dried herbs are very helpful, because that's what we've used for centuries in healing. But the truth is that essential oils are a QUANTUM LEAP from dried herbs, in my humble opinion. They're plant concentrates, and they're clean (of course the plants have to be grown organically), pure, and non-toxic (very few on the market are pure, organic & unadulterated).
A drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to about 28 cups of peppermint tea! A person simply could not drink that much tea to get the same results!
I have grown my own herbs for as long as I can remember, I've also purchased herbs for reputable organic sources, and I still use herbs today, I love them. However, depending upon the situation I would chose an essential oil over an herb. For example, as lovely as my herbs are I am going to chose my Young Living Frankincense or Sandlewood essential oils to lessen my wrinkles. Or if I'm coming down with a cold or flu, I'm reaching for my NingXia Red, Longevity capsules, and Thieves essential oil because they are far more potent choices.
If you were to walk into my kitchen right now, you would see I have over 100 different amber glass jars (all beautifully labeled with common and botanical names) filled with dried herbs. If you look in my essential oil case, you'll see I have over 100 different Young Living essential oils. Clearly I am BIG on healing plants, in dried and ditilled forms, for nearly everything in my life. I LOVE beneficial and healing plants.
Another interesting fact - It takes 5,000 pounds of rose petals to distill one pound of rose oil, making it one of the most expensive and precious essentail oils we have. If those rose petals were laden with chemicals and pesticides, the oil would actually be toxic, which will explain why, when you're at the mall, and you pass some stores claiming to have therapeutic aromatherapy, you get an instant headache. Your body knows.
So it's an honor for me to be a part of pioneering this exquisite modality with essential oils, and teaching people in such a way as to positively affect the health of future generations!
If you have questions please contact me through my website The Very Essence If you'd like to place an order online through my website click on "Create an Account."
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Friday, November 17, 2006
Hurricanes, Earthquakes & Essential Oils
by David Stewart, PhD, DNM
Someone recently asked me about essential oils and earthquake preparation. They did not know how appropriate it was to address such a question to me. Before I was a Methodist Pastor, and before I became a full-time teacher and advocate of aromatherapy, I was an earthquake seismologist.
I was a professor and director of Seismological Observatories and Centers for Earthquake Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for seven years and at Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau for five years. During those times I taught courses in environmental hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, and earthquakes. During 1988, I was also the Executive Director of a government organization under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) whose mission is to prepare the Midwest for a major earthquake.
I taught courses for FEMA on earthquake preparation for schools, hospitals, public utilities, law enforcement, firemen, and emergency management personnel, as well as seismic building design for engineers. Between 1990 and 1995 I published five books on earthquakes, can be purchased at www.carepublications.net
1. The Earthquake America Forgot (29.95) (2000 Temblors in Five Months and It Will Happen Again). This is a history of the most powerful sequence of earthquakes in American history. Between December1811 and May 1812 more than 2000 earthquakes struck the Mississippi River Valley near New Madrid, Missouri, causing the Mississippi to run backwards, creating a dozen new lakes, and completely obliterating five towns. Hundreds died, including several entire tribes of Native Americans. The largest of these seismic events measured 8.3, 8.6, and 8.8 on the Richter scale. These tremors were felt from Canada to Mexico, from the Rocky Mountains througthout the East Coast of America and as far south as Cuba. They did damage up to 800 miles from their epicenters. That's bigger than any quake that has hit California. This book contains all the fascinating people stories and drama of the tragedies and heroes of that cataclysmic natural disaster. It has been used as a basis for several novels and even one play.
2. The Earthquake that Never Went Away (19.95) (The Shaking Stopped in 1812, but the Impact Goes On) This book contains 150 photographs of the New Madrid Fault zone taken between 1988 and 1994 showing the permanent effects of the earthquakes that had struck almost 200 years prior in 1811-12. Sand boils, land fissures, surface faults, landslides, disrupted river channels, and earthquake lakes--all created by those earthquakes and all visible today. These features are still problems to the present time for highways, bridges, building construction, and agriculture. Some of the permanent quicksand features resulting from those earthquakes that lie under railroad tracks continue to cause train derailments today--almost two centuries after the shaking stopped.
3. The New Madrid Fault Finders Guide (16.95) This is a set of seven self-guided field trips into the New Madrid Fault Zone, that spans portions of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Upon completion of each of the seven trips, one can visit the New Madrid Historical Museum and receive signatures on a certificate for being a Certified Fault Finder. Upon completion of all seven trips, you become a TOAFF (Totally Awesome Fault Finder) and will have a certificate to prove it. The New Madrid Fault is still active, producing 200-300 small earthquakes a year, most only measured and not felt. If you drive Interstate Highway I-55 from Memphis, Tennessee, to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, you will be driving right over the fault, which is also called Earthquake Alley. Using this book, many earth science classes have toured the zone while families have come for an Earthquake Vacation and sightseeing trip throughout one of America's most geologically unique areas.
4. Damages and Losses from Future New Madrid Earthquakes (9.95) This book was written under contract from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It details the damages and casualties that will result from magnitude 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 earthquakes when they happen again along the New Madrid Fault. A magnitude 7.0-7.6 earthquake in the Midwest would do damage over a 20-state area measuring in hundreds of billions of dollars and many fatalities. Such a quake has a 25% chance of happening in the next 15 years and a 50% chance in the next 50 years. A strong quake measuring 6.0-6.9 has a 50% chance in the next 15 years and a 90% chance during the next 50 years. This book is for earthquake planning in the Midwest by engineers, businesses, policemen, firemen, schools, municipal and country governments, hospitals, emergency management officials, National Guard units, and the public at large. It is the factual basis for premiums charge by insurance companies offering earthquake coverage. It is also the basis for earthquake zoning legislation and building codes in Midwestern states. While based on technical information, it is easily read, understood, and applied by anyone.
Besides Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and MIssissippi which are within the zone most threatened by the New Madrid Fault, the states considered most at risk from major earthquakes are California, Washington, Alaska, New York, and South Carolina. Except for British Columbia, Southern Ontario, and Southern Quebec, the rest of Canada is relatively free of significant earthquake risk.
So what does all of the above have to do with hurricanes and oils?
Preparation for earthquakes is similar to preparation for any major natural disaster, be they floods, hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, and temblors. Although there are different things one would do to prepare and mitigate the potential effects from each of these types of hazards, when it comes to dealing with environmental disruptions, emotional trauma, injuries, and health issues following such events, it is pretty much all the same.
Major natural disasters disrupt normal infrastructure, which can be for extended periods of time. This includes our supplies of water, electricity, natural gas, and fuels such as gasoline. They also disrupt or destroy sanitation facilities and proper disposal of garbage and sewage, posing biohazards. Meanwhile, they can also temporarily interrupt one's access to hospitals and health care facilities while destroying our homes and dwellings, leaving us exposed to the elements and no place to live. Hazardous and toxic fluids and fumes can also be released during such events. Besides threats from nature, today we have additional threats in the form of terrorism, which can strike anywhere, any time.
As for oils, with these thoughts in mind, I keep the following on hand and ready to use. It is a good idea to keep them in a little Emergency Oils Kit set aside for such purposes:
. Purification (item # 3399) for disinfecting cuts and bites
. Lemon (item # 3578) for purifying water
. Lavender (item # 3575) for burns and abrasions
. Frankincense (item # 3548) for healing wounds
. Helichrysm (item # 3563) to stop bleeding
. Peppermint (item # 3614) for headaches and fatigue
. Panaway (item # 3390) for bruises and achy muscles
. Wintergreen (item # 3658) for sprains and cracked bones
. Lemongrass (item # 3581) for sprains and twisted joints
. RC (item # 3405) for the lungs in case toxic fumes were inhaled
. Sandalwood (item # 3634) to help get a good night's sleep
. Peace and Calming (item # 3393) for panic
. Valor (item # 3429) for overcoming fear with courage
. Trauma Life (item # 6350) for post-traumatic stress syndrome
. Along with Gratitude (item # 3346) and Joy (item # 3372) for surviving the disaster and still being alive and intact.
There are many other oils you could add to this list, go to The Very Essence to see the hundreds of therapeutic-grade essential oils I have available and contact me, Evelyn, if you have questions or need help making good choices.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information in this post is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or substitute for professional medical assistance. It is provided as information only for your better understanding of holistic health. In case of medical need, please consult an appropriate licensed professional.
Someone recently asked me about essential oils and earthquake preparation. They did not know how appropriate it was to address such a question to me. Before I was a Methodist Pastor, and before I became a full-time teacher and advocate of aromatherapy, I was an earthquake seismologist.
I was a professor and director of Seismological Observatories and Centers for Earthquake Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for seven years and at Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau for five years. During those times I taught courses in environmental hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, and earthquakes. During 1988, I was also the Executive Director of a government organization under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) whose mission is to prepare the Midwest for a major earthquake.
I taught courses for FEMA on earthquake preparation for schools, hospitals, public utilities, law enforcement, firemen, and emergency management personnel, as well as seismic building design for engineers. Between 1990 and 1995 I published five books on earthquakes, can be purchased at www.carepublications.net
1. The Earthquake America Forgot (29.95) (2000 Temblors in Five Months and It Will Happen Again). This is a history of the most powerful sequence of earthquakes in American history. Between December1811 and May 1812 more than 2000 earthquakes struck the Mississippi River Valley near New Madrid, Missouri, causing the Mississippi to run backwards, creating a dozen new lakes, and completely obliterating five towns. Hundreds died, including several entire tribes of Native Americans. The largest of these seismic events measured 8.3, 8.6, and 8.8 on the Richter scale. These tremors were felt from Canada to Mexico, from the Rocky Mountains througthout the East Coast of America and as far south as Cuba. They did damage up to 800 miles from their epicenters. That's bigger than any quake that has hit California. This book contains all the fascinating people stories and drama of the tragedies and heroes of that cataclysmic natural disaster. It has been used as a basis for several novels and even one play.
2. The Earthquake that Never Went Away (19.95) (The Shaking Stopped in 1812, but the Impact Goes On) This book contains 150 photographs of the New Madrid Fault zone taken between 1988 and 1994 showing the permanent effects of the earthquakes that had struck almost 200 years prior in 1811-12. Sand boils, land fissures, surface faults, landslides, disrupted river channels, and earthquake lakes--all created by those earthquakes and all visible today. These features are still problems to the present time for highways, bridges, building construction, and agriculture. Some of the permanent quicksand features resulting from those earthquakes that lie under railroad tracks continue to cause train derailments today--almost two centuries after the shaking stopped.
3. The New Madrid Fault Finders Guide (16.95) This is a set of seven self-guided field trips into the New Madrid Fault Zone, that spans portions of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Upon completion of each of the seven trips, one can visit the New Madrid Historical Museum and receive signatures on a certificate for being a Certified Fault Finder. Upon completion of all seven trips, you become a TOAFF (Totally Awesome Fault Finder) and will have a certificate to prove it. The New Madrid Fault is still active, producing 200-300 small earthquakes a year, most only measured and not felt. If you drive Interstate Highway I-55 from Memphis, Tennessee, to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, you will be driving right over the fault, which is also called Earthquake Alley. Using this book, many earth science classes have toured the zone while families have come for an Earthquake Vacation and sightseeing trip throughout one of America's most geologically unique areas.
4. Damages and Losses from Future New Madrid Earthquakes (9.95) This book was written under contract from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It details the damages and casualties that will result from magnitude 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 earthquakes when they happen again along the New Madrid Fault. A magnitude 7.0-7.6 earthquake in the Midwest would do damage over a 20-state area measuring in hundreds of billions of dollars and many fatalities. Such a quake has a 25% chance of happening in the next 15 years and a 50% chance in the next 50 years. A strong quake measuring 6.0-6.9 has a 50% chance in the next 15 years and a 90% chance during the next 50 years. This book is for earthquake planning in the Midwest by engineers, businesses, policemen, firemen, schools, municipal and country governments, hospitals, emergency management officials, National Guard units, and the public at large. It is the factual basis for premiums charge by insurance companies offering earthquake coverage. It is also the basis for earthquake zoning legislation and building codes in Midwestern states. While based on technical information, it is easily read, understood, and applied by anyone.
Besides Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and MIssissippi which are within the zone most threatened by the New Madrid Fault, the states considered most at risk from major earthquakes are California, Washington, Alaska, New York, and South Carolina. Except for British Columbia, Southern Ontario, and Southern Quebec, the rest of Canada is relatively free of significant earthquake risk.
So what does all of the above have to do with hurricanes and oils?
Preparation for earthquakes is similar to preparation for any major natural disaster, be they floods, hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, and temblors. Although there are different things one would do to prepare and mitigate the potential effects from each of these types of hazards, when it comes to dealing with environmental disruptions, emotional trauma, injuries, and health issues following such events, it is pretty much all the same.
Major natural disasters disrupt normal infrastructure, which can be for extended periods of time. This includes our supplies of water, electricity, natural gas, and fuels such as gasoline. They also disrupt or destroy sanitation facilities and proper disposal of garbage and sewage, posing biohazards. Meanwhile, they can also temporarily interrupt one's access to hospitals and health care facilities while destroying our homes and dwellings, leaving us exposed to the elements and no place to live. Hazardous and toxic fluids and fumes can also be released during such events. Besides threats from nature, today we have additional threats in the form of terrorism, which can strike anywhere, any time.
As for oils, with these thoughts in mind, I keep the following on hand and ready to use. It is a good idea to keep them in a little Emergency Oils Kit set aside for such purposes:
. Purification (item # 3399) for disinfecting cuts and bites
. Lemon (item # 3578) for purifying water
. Lavender (item # 3575) for burns and abrasions
. Frankincense (item # 3548) for healing wounds
. Helichrysm (item # 3563) to stop bleeding
. Peppermint (item # 3614) for headaches and fatigue
. Panaway (item # 3390) for bruises and achy muscles
. Wintergreen (item # 3658) for sprains and cracked bones
. Lemongrass (item # 3581) for sprains and twisted joints
. RC (item # 3405) for the lungs in case toxic fumes were inhaled
. Sandalwood (item # 3634) to help get a good night's sleep
. Peace and Calming (item # 3393) for panic
. Valor (item # 3429) for overcoming fear with courage
. Trauma Life (item # 6350) for post-traumatic stress syndrome
. Along with Gratitude (item # 3346) and Joy (item # 3372) for surviving the disaster and still being alive and intact.
There are many other oils you could add to this list, go to The Very Essence to see the hundreds of therapeutic-grade essential oils I have available and contact me, Evelyn, if you have questions or need help making good choices.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information in this post is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or substitute for professional medical assistance. It is provided as information only for your better understanding of holistic health. In case of medical need, please consult an appropriate licensed professional.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Is There Really "Therapy" in Aromatherapy?
By Frances Fuller, BS, LMT, CHTP, Reiki Master
Have you ever wondered just how essential oils work – if, in fact, they do work on any level other than “smelling good”? The therapeutic value of any essential oil is directly related to a number of factors from the manner in which the plants are grown all the way up to the handling of the finished product.
The highest quality plants are grown organically on land which has never been sprayed with pesticides and on which chemical fertilizers have not been used. This land is far away from factories and major highways where pollution can damage the delicate healing properties locked deep within each tender young leaf, flower, stem, and root. Even the water used for irrigation is extremely important as chemicals – and often drugs – which are in municipal water supplies affect the plants adversely, reducing their healing capabilities. Wouldn’t it be far better for them to be watered with pure mountain-stream water far from the toxins of the cities?
Once the plants have been nurtured and allowed to grow to maturity naturally, it is quite important that care be taken in the harvesting and extraction, which is most commonly accomplished through steam distillation. As soon as a plant is cut, it begins to lose potency. Therefore, it is essential that the distillery be located close to the farm in order for the time between the actual harvesting and the distillation to be minimized. Next comes the process of unlocking the natural healing compounds held within the carefully-grown plants – the precious drops of essential oil. This golden liquid has often been called the “life force” or “blood” of the plant. Much like the blood of the human body, essential oils deliver oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the plant. In addition, they have the capability of fighting bacteria, viruses, and other destructive things that could injure the plant. When the leaf of stem of a plant is cut or torn, it is the essential oil that rushes to the site of the “wound” to repair the damage just as human blood responds to cuts or injuries. Amazingly, even the major chemical components are the same as those of human blood – carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. This is why the pure oils are so compatible with the human body.
The proper extraction, or distillation, of the essential oils from the plants is a time-consuming and precise process if all of the delicate chemical constituents are to be retained in the finished product. For instance, cypress twigs require 24 hours of distillation at 130 degrees centigrade and only 5 pounds of pressure in order to produce a quality essential oil. If the time is reduced by just 2 hours, the resulting oil will be missing 18 of the constituents that should be present in therapeutic-grade cypress!
You may be wondering, “What would happen if the temperature and/or pressure were increased? Couldn’t the oils be produced more rapidly?” The oils would still smell the same, but the therapeutic value would be dramatically reduced. Unfortunately, this is one of the ways that inferior oils are produced as the shorter distillation time lowers the cost involved – and it is impossible to detect this adjustment by the aroma. Often, the same plants are even distilled several times, and then synthetic fragrance is added! Can synthetic oils be as effective as natural ones which are carefully grown and properly distilled at low temperature and pressure for the full length of time? The answer is quite simple when one understands how the oils work.
Whereas pharmaceutical drugs are designed to treat symptoms, pure and natural essential oils work to achieve balance within the body. This is known as "homeostasis”. Our bodies desire to be in balance, but we often do many things to disrupt that natural balance. For instance, we eat chemically altered food, breathe polluted air, and slather products filled with harmful chemicals on our bodies. When we introduce a pure, therapeutic-grade essential oil such as lavender, which has hundreds of chemical constituents, it is like offering the body a giant buffet of healing substances. The body is able to select whatever it needs to achieve homeostasis and eliminate whatever it does not need at that time. Synthetic lavender, by contrast, has only 8-10 chemical constituents, which does not offer the body a significant healing opportunity.
You may be wondering now, “even if all this is true, how can I access these healing properties?” The molecules of the essential oils are very small – so small, in fact, that they are able to penetrate the skin quite easily.Almost all essential oils are absorbed into the skin within 2 minutes – and many absorb within seconds! They are then ready to begin their task of oxygenating the cells of the body and returning it to a state of homeostasis through offering the many chemical constituents which can potentially assist in achieving this balance. In addition, the oils are volatile, which means that they naturally diffuse into the air that we breathe. As the tiny molecules are inhaled, they stimulate the limbic system. This is the part of the body related to emotions. When one inhales the aroma, it is actually the tiny molecules of the essential oils entering the body, and one is able to positively affect emotional balance as well as balance upon the physical level.
Years ago scientists discovered that every living thing has a frequency which can be measured. The unit of measurement is called megahertz (mHz). Studies at many universities in Europe and the USA found the following range of frequencies for certain foods and even for the hu8man body both in a healthy state and when illness disease is present.
It was established that the frequency of a healthy human is 62-68mHz.
Human Brain....................72-90 mHz
Healthy Human Body........62-68 mHz
Cold Symptoms................58 mHz
Flu Symptoms...................57 mHz
Candida............................55 mHz
Epstein Barr......................52 mHz
Cancer..............................42 mHz
Death Begins.....................25 mHz
The following range of frequencies was also established:
Processed Canned Food.....0 mHz
Fresh Produce....................0-15 mHz
Dry Herbs..........................12-22 mHz
Fresh Herbs.......................20-27 mHz
Therapeutic-grade Essential Oils......52-320 mHz
What does all this have to do with how essential oils can positively affect your health and your life? It is a principle of physics that when two objects which have different frequencies are placed in close proximity to one another, the one with the lower frequency will shift upward. Further studies have indicated that pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils have the ability to raise the frequency of the human body. Thus, the introduction of these tiny droplets either through inhalation or absorption through the skin can even raise the frequency of the body above that of illness or disease! This is an amazing property for assisting everyone in achieving optimum health. These tiny gifts from Nature are truly some of the most powerful healing substances known today!
Can you tell if an essential oil is “therapeutic-grade” or even “pure” by the smell? Sometimes, it is possible, but certainly not always. Occasionally, you may be able to detect certain solvents which are commonly used in extracting inferior oils and/or to boost the volume inexpensively. However, more often than not, it is not possible to detect the quality of the oil by the aroma. As the public is more educated, more sophisticated methods of camouflaging the quality are employed, but there are certain guidelines that will assist you in your selection. Oils which have the AFNOR standard on the label have passed the strictest tests. This is the Association of French Normalization Organization Regulation. You can feel confident about both the purity and the therapeutic value of any oil which has earned this designation. Are there other pure, therapeutic-grade oils available? Absolutely, but it could be difficult to determine the quality without the use of gas chromatography – the intricate laboratory analysis. However, you may choose to ask the supplier the following questions which can assist you in deciding whether the oil is of a suitable quality for your needs.
HOW TO BE SURE YOUR ESSENTIAL OILS ARE THERAPEUTIC GRADE
- Are the fragrances subtle, rich, organic, and delicate?
- Do the fragrances of your oils vary from batch to batch – an indication that they are pure and painstakingly distilled in small batches rather than industrially processed on a large scale?
- Does your supplier send each batch of essential oils it receives through up to five different chemical analyses before it is released?
- Are these tests performed by independent labs?
- Does your supplier grow and distill its own organically grown herbs?
- Are the distillation facilities part of the farm where the herbs are grown so they are freshly distilled, maintaining their potency?
- Does your supplier use low pressure and low temperature to distill the essential oils, preserving all of their delicate chemical constituents?
- Are the distillation cookers fabricated from costly stainless steel alloys to reduce the likelihood of the oils chemically reacting with the metal?
- Does your supplier have representatives traveling worldwide to personally inspect the fields and distilleries where the herbs are grown and distilled?
- Do they scrutinize the facilities to check that no synthetic chemicals are being used in any of these processes?
If your answer to ALL of these questions is “yes”, you can feel confident that your oils are therapeutic grade – the highest standard available.
Are you now thinking, “Can I afford to use pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils?” Perhaps a better question might be, “Can you afford NOT to use pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils?” To see my complete line of essential oils go to The Very Essence, contact me if you have questions. You can place an order directly by contacting me or online by clicking on "Create an Account."
Frances Fuller recently relocated to Singapore from Palm Beach, Florida, bringing her vast experience in the world of wellness and healing with her. Trained in most spa services and modalities, Frances holds regular classes in Singapore on aromatherapy, specialized massage techniques, meditation and cellular level healing. She is a nationally certified massage therapist and instructor in the US and holds training classes throughout Asia.
Have you ever wondered just how essential oils work – if, in fact, they do work on any level other than “smelling good”? The therapeutic value of any essential oil is directly related to a number of factors from the manner in which the plants are grown all the way up to the handling of the finished product.
The highest quality plants are grown organically on land which has never been sprayed with pesticides and on which chemical fertilizers have not been used. This land is far away from factories and major highways where pollution can damage the delicate healing properties locked deep within each tender young leaf, flower, stem, and root. Even the water used for irrigation is extremely important as chemicals – and often drugs – which are in municipal water supplies affect the plants adversely, reducing their healing capabilities. Wouldn’t it be far better for them to be watered with pure mountain-stream water far from the toxins of the cities?
Once the plants have been nurtured and allowed to grow to maturity naturally, it is quite important that care be taken in the harvesting and extraction, which is most commonly accomplished through steam distillation. As soon as a plant is cut, it begins to lose potency. Therefore, it is essential that the distillery be located close to the farm in order for the time between the actual harvesting and the distillation to be minimized. Next comes the process of unlocking the natural healing compounds held within the carefully-grown plants – the precious drops of essential oil. This golden liquid has often been called the “life force” or “blood” of the plant. Much like the blood of the human body, essential oils deliver oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the plant. In addition, they have the capability of fighting bacteria, viruses, and other destructive things that could injure the plant. When the leaf of stem of a plant is cut or torn, it is the essential oil that rushes to the site of the “wound” to repair the damage just as human blood responds to cuts or injuries. Amazingly, even the major chemical components are the same as those of human blood – carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. This is why the pure oils are so compatible with the human body.
The proper extraction, or distillation, of the essential oils from the plants is a time-consuming and precise process if all of the delicate chemical constituents are to be retained in the finished product. For instance, cypress twigs require 24 hours of distillation at 130 degrees centigrade and only 5 pounds of pressure in order to produce a quality essential oil. If the time is reduced by just 2 hours, the resulting oil will be missing 18 of the constituents that should be present in therapeutic-grade cypress!
You may be wondering, “What would happen if the temperature and/or pressure were increased? Couldn’t the oils be produced more rapidly?” The oils would still smell the same, but the therapeutic value would be dramatically reduced. Unfortunately, this is one of the ways that inferior oils are produced as the shorter distillation time lowers the cost involved – and it is impossible to detect this adjustment by the aroma. Often, the same plants are even distilled several times, and then synthetic fragrance is added! Can synthetic oils be as effective as natural ones which are carefully grown and properly distilled at low temperature and pressure for the full length of time? The answer is quite simple when one understands how the oils work.
Whereas pharmaceutical drugs are designed to treat symptoms, pure and natural essential oils work to achieve balance within the body. This is known as "homeostasis”. Our bodies desire to be in balance, but we often do many things to disrupt that natural balance. For instance, we eat chemically altered food, breathe polluted air, and slather products filled with harmful chemicals on our bodies. When we introduce a pure, therapeutic-grade essential oil such as lavender, which has hundreds of chemical constituents, it is like offering the body a giant buffet of healing substances. The body is able to select whatever it needs to achieve homeostasis and eliminate whatever it does not need at that time. Synthetic lavender, by contrast, has only 8-10 chemical constituents, which does not offer the body a significant healing opportunity.
You may be wondering now, “even if all this is true, how can I access these healing properties?” The molecules of the essential oils are very small – so small, in fact, that they are able to penetrate the skin quite easily.Almost all essential oils are absorbed into the skin within 2 minutes – and many absorb within seconds! They are then ready to begin their task of oxygenating the cells of the body and returning it to a state of homeostasis through offering the many chemical constituents which can potentially assist in achieving this balance. In addition, the oils are volatile, which means that they naturally diffuse into the air that we breathe. As the tiny molecules are inhaled, they stimulate the limbic system. This is the part of the body related to emotions. When one inhales the aroma, it is actually the tiny molecules of the essential oils entering the body, and one is able to positively affect emotional balance as well as balance upon the physical level.
Years ago scientists discovered that every living thing has a frequency which can be measured. The unit of measurement is called megahertz (mHz). Studies at many universities in Europe and the USA found the following range of frequencies for certain foods and even for the hu8man body both in a healthy state and when illness disease is present.
It was established that the frequency of a healthy human is 62-68mHz.
Human Brain....................72-90 mHz
Healthy Human Body........62-68 mHz
Cold Symptoms................58 mHz
Flu Symptoms...................57 mHz
Candida............................55 mHz
Epstein Barr......................52 mHz
Cancer..............................42 mHz
Death Begins.....................25 mHz
The following range of frequencies was also established:
Processed Canned Food.....0 mHz
Fresh Produce....................0-15 mHz
Dry Herbs..........................12-22 mHz
Fresh Herbs.......................20-27 mHz
Therapeutic-grade Essential Oils......52-320 mHz
What does all this have to do with how essential oils can positively affect your health and your life? It is a principle of physics that when two objects which have different frequencies are placed in close proximity to one another, the one with the lower frequency will shift upward. Further studies have indicated that pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils have the ability to raise the frequency of the human body. Thus, the introduction of these tiny droplets either through inhalation or absorption through the skin can even raise the frequency of the body above that of illness or disease! This is an amazing property for assisting everyone in achieving optimum health. These tiny gifts from Nature are truly some of the most powerful healing substances known today!
Can you tell if an essential oil is “therapeutic-grade” or even “pure” by the smell? Sometimes, it is possible, but certainly not always. Occasionally, you may be able to detect certain solvents which are commonly used in extracting inferior oils and/or to boost the volume inexpensively. However, more often than not, it is not possible to detect the quality of the oil by the aroma. As the public is more educated, more sophisticated methods of camouflaging the quality are employed, but there are certain guidelines that will assist you in your selection. Oils which have the AFNOR standard on the label have passed the strictest tests. This is the Association of French Normalization Organization Regulation. You can feel confident about both the purity and the therapeutic value of any oil which has earned this designation. Are there other pure, therapeutic-grade oils available? Absolutely, but it could be difficult to determine the quality without the use of gas chromatography – the intricate laboratory analysis. However, you may choose to ask the supplier the following questions which can assist you in deciding whether the oil is of a suitable quality for your needs.
HOW TO BE SURE YOUR ESSENTIAL OILS ARE THERAPEUTIC GRADE
- Are the fragrances subtle, rich, organic, and delicate?
- Do the fragrances of your oils vary from batch to batch – an indication that they are pure and painstakingly distilled in small batches rather than industrially processed on a large scale?
- Does your supplier send each batch of essential oils it receives through up to five different chemical analyses before it is released?
- Are these tests performed by independent labs?
- Does your supplier grow and distill its own organically grown herbs?
- Are the distillation facilities part of the farm where the herbs are grown so they are freshly distilled, maintaining their potency?
- Does your supplier use low pressure and low temperature to distill the essential oils, preserving all of their delicate chemical constituents?
- Are the distillation cookers fabricated from costly stainless steel alloys to reduce the likelihood of the oils chemically reacting with the metal?
- Does your supplier have representatives traveling worldwide to personally inspect the fields and distilleries where the herbs are grown and distilled?
- Do they scrutinize the facilities to check that no synthetic chemicals are being used in any of these processes?
If your answer to ALL of these questions is “yes”, you can feel confident that your oils are therapeutic grade – the highest standard available.
Are you now thinking, “Can I afford to use pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils?” Perhaps a better question might be, “Can you afford NOT to use pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils?” To see my complete line of essential oils go to The Very Essence, contact me if you have questions. You can place an order directly by contacting me or online by clicking on "Create an Account."
Frances Fuller recently relocated to Singapore from Palm Beach, Florida, bringing her vast experience in the world of wellness and healing with her. Trained in most spa services and modalities, Frances holds regular classes in Singapore on aromatherapy, specialized massage techniques, meditation and cellular level healing. She is a nationally certified massage therapist and instructor in the US and holds training classes throughout Asia.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Mark Your Calenders and...
EXPLORE THE DREAM!
Date: November 21st 2006
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Place: Edmonds Conference Center 201 - 4th Ave. Edmonds, WA
Join us and other top Young Living Distributors, for an amazing evening as we kick-off our Northwest regional event.
Here's what you'll learn: an introduction to our newest essential oil Palo Santo, cleansing & core nutrition, and how our line of over 300 non-toxic products has produced life-changing results in health and wellness, Q & A, and more!
Refreshments, samples and door prizes too.
Begin your New Year
Exploring the Dream and Experience the Freedom of Owning Your Life!
The cost is FREE to all who are not currently a Young Living distributor.
If you are already a distributor the cost is $10, join us and bring a guest for free!
Everybody is welcome!
R.S.V.P. - so we can be sure to have plenty of everything!
TheVeryEssence@mac.com
We look forward to meeting and helping you to Own Your Life!
Evelyn Vincent and Curt Siters
Date: November 21st 2006
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Place: Edmonds Conference Center 201 - 4th Ave. Edmonds, WA
Join us and other top Young Living Distributors, for an amazing evening as we kick-off our Northwest regional event.
Here's what you'll learn: an introduction to our newest essential oil Palo Santo, cleansing & core nutrition, and how our line of over 300 non-toxic products has produced life-changing results in health and wellness, Q & A, and more!
Refreshments, samples and door prizes too.
Begin your New Year
Exploring the Dream and Experience the Freedom of Owning Your Life!
The cost is FREE to all who are not currently a Young Living distributor.
If you are already a distributor the cost is $10, join us and bring a guest for free!
Everybody is welcome!
R.S.V.P. - so we can be sure to have plenty of everything!
TheVeryEssence@mac.com
We look forward to meeting and helping you to Own Your Life!
Evelyn Vincent and Curt Siters
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Young Living's Community Involvement & Commitment
OUR COMMITMENT with genuine sympathy and a commitment to enhance the quality of life for all, Young Living eagerly and generously contributes to many causes. We have helped in some of the major disasters of our time, as well as provided a helping hand every day in the community in which we live.
KATRINA RELIEF When Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, it set off one of the worst national disasters in the history of the United States. After viewing images and reading accounts of loss experienced by those who survived the natural disaster, we at Young Living were touched by the suffering of so many and could not idly stand by.
Joyce Cothern, a distributor who lives in one of the areas that was hit by the storm, sent this message of hope to Young Living’s corporate headquarters: “I have been using the oils consistently on my family during the storm and its aftermath for all sorts of injuries and emotions. At one point in the storm, I mixed a blend of essential oils to use on a lady who was oxygen deprived, and it helped her until she was able to get to a hospital. The severity of this storm was unbelievable, and it will take a long time for this area to recover, but we are doing a little better each day. I share the oils with all who are willing to use them, and I know that many are being blessed by the oils.”
While the danger and heartache lingered all around the southern United States, many individuals desired to extend help and comfort. Katie Land, Turner Bourne, and Emily Laurel, all Young Living distributors, requested and received donations from Young Living for use in the recovery efforts at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette. While there, they taught and worked with medical and support staff, natural healing practitioners, and massage therapists in using Young Living essential oils to help Katrina evacuees. “Virtually everyone who found their way to us remarked on the beautiful aromas wafting from our room, as well as the gentle, caring touch of the volunteers. We will never forget the sights, sounds, and smells of our Katrina experience,” Emily said. This was just one of the many people and organizations Young Living provided oils to for hurricane relief.
Back at the corporate office in Lehi, Utah, employees rallied together to create hygiene kits for the survivors of the disaster. The kits included basic necessities such as Young Living bar soap, towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and combs.
TSUNAMI AID When we at Young Living learned about the devastation caused by the December 26, 2004, earthquake and resulting tsunami, we responded immediately. It was quickly decided that a portion of our sales during early 2005 would be donated to relief organizations. We also gave oils to distributors who were traveling to these distant countries to provide aid.
Young Living distributor Dr. Carolyn DeMarco went to a small clinic in Aceh, a territory of Indonesia. She used Young Living essential oils to assist in the healing of emotional and physical traumas. The Acehnese people were very receptive to her holistic ways of healing. “For those who had trouble sleeping, the essential oils had a near miraculous effect. People gravitated to them, sighed with relief, and came back and asked for more. We used single oils like lavender and brilliant combination oils like Peace & Calming®, Hope™, Sacred Mountain™, 3 Wise Men™, and Joy™,” Dr. DeMarco wrote in her journal. When she came back and reported on her successful experiences, Young Living donated more essential oils to be used to help relieve more victims of the tsunami.
OTHER SERVICES Young Living actively participates in many other projects and programs around the world.
In November of 2003, Young Living Founder and President D. Gary Young led a team of Young Living corporate leaders and distributors on a weeklong humanitarian expedition to the Tarahumara Indians in the mountains of Mexico. The expedition provided the village with food, school kits, building materials for a small school house, and a new well. We continue to donate to these strong, humble people.
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, affected all Americans and left the whole world shocked. Young Living’s donations of essential oils assisted in the rescue efforts, as grateful firefighters used the oils on their masks while they worked amidst the rubble and smoke.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Young Living employees contribute to their communities in numerous ways. Individual employees provide personal time to a wide variety of community needs, from blood drives to scout service projects to humanitarian aid, as well as contribute monetarily to religious and charitable organizations. Young Living’s employees actively participate in a United Way campaign and are sponsors of the Oakridge School, a school for the disabled. During the holiday season, employees have participated in local Sub for Santa programs where they adopt a child or family and provide toys, clothing, and other necessities that they would not otherwise be able to afford.
As Young Living continues to expand and bring greater health and prosperity to others, we will continue to look for ways to help those in need. We encourage, hope for, and expect the same from everyone associated with Young Living Essential Oils.
If you're interested in becoming a part of our terrific group and Young Living Family come by my website, take a look around, and conatct me:
The Very Essence
KATRINA RELIEF When Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, it set off one of the worst national disasters in the history of the United States. After viewing images and reading accounts of loss experienced by those who survived the natural disaster, we at Young Living were touched by the suffering of so many and could not idly stand by.
Joyce Cothern, a distributor who lives in one of the areas that was hit by the storm, sent this message of hope to Young Living’s corporate headquarters: “I have been using the oils consistently on my family during the storm and its aftermath for all sorts of injuries and emotions. At one point in the storm, I mixed a blend of essential oils to use on a lady who was oxygen deprived, and it helped her until she was able to get to a hospital. The severity of this storm was unbelievable, and it will take a long time for this area to recover, but we are doing a little better each day. I share the oils with all who are willing to use them, and I know that many are being blessed by the oils.”
While the danger and heartache lingered all around the southern United States, many individuals desired to extend help and comfort. Katie Land, Turner Bourne, and Emily Laurel, all Young Living distributors, requested and received donations from Young Living for use in the recovery efforts at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette. While there, they taught and worked with medical and support staff, natural healing practitioners, and massage therapists in using Young Living essential oils to help Katrina evacuees. “Virtually everyone who found their way to us remarked on the beautiful aromas wafting from our room, as well as the gentle, caring touch of the volunteers. We will never forget the sights, sounds, and smells of our Katrina experience,” Emily said. This was just one of the many people and organizations Young Living provided oils to for hurricane relief.
Back at the corporate office in Lehi, Utah, employees rallied together to create hygiene kits for the survivors of the disaster. The kits included basic necessities such as Young Living bar soap, towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and combs.
TSUNAMI AID When we at Young Living learned about the devastation caused by the December 26, 2004, earthquake and resulting tsunami, we responded immediately. It was quickly decided that a portion of our sales during early 2005 would be donated to relief organizations. We also gave oils to distributors who were traveling to these distant countries to provide aid.
Young Living distributor Dr. Carolyn DeMarco went to a small clinic in Aceh, a territory of Indonesia. She used Young Living essential oils to assist in the healing of emotional and physical traumas. The Acehnese people were very receptive to her holistic ways of healing. “For those who had trouble sleeping, the essential oils had a near miraculous effect. People gravitated to them, sighed with relief, and came back and asked for more. We used single oils like lavender and brilliant combination oils like Peace & Calming®, Hope™, Sacred Mountain™, 3 Wise Men™, and Joy™,” Dr. DeMarco wrote in her journal. When she came back and reported on her successful experiences, Young Living donated more essential oils to be used to help relieve more victims of the tsunami.
OTHER SERVICES Young Living actively participates in many other projects and programs around the world.
In November of 2003, Young Living Founder and President D. Gary Young led a team of Young Living corporate leaders and distributors on a weeklong humanitarian expedition to the Tarahumara Indians in the mountains of Mexico. The expedition provided the village with food, school kits, building materials for a small school house, and a new well. We continue to donate to these strong, humble people.
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, affected all Americans and left the whole world shocked. Young Living’s donations of essential oils assisted in the rescue efforts, as grateful firefighters used the oils on their masks while they worked amidst the rubble and smoke.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Young Living employees contribute to their communities in numerous ways. Individual employees provide personal time to a wide variety of community needs, from blood drives to scout service projects to humanitarian aid, as well as contribute monetarily to religious and charitable organizations. Young Living’s employees actively participate in a United Way campaign and are sponsors of the Oakridge School, a school for the disabled. During the holiday season, employees have participated in local Sub for Santa programs where they adopt a child or family and provide toys, clothing, and other necessities that they would not otherwise be able to afford.
As Young Living continues to expand and bring greater health and prosperity to others, we will continue to look for ways to help those in need. We encourage, hope for, and expect the same from everyone associated with Young Living Essential Oils.
If you're interested in becoming a part of our terrific group and Young Living Family come by my website, take a look around, and conatct me:
The Very Essence
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Skin Worthy of Celebration:Essential Beauty Serums
Vibrant, beautiful skin has always been considered an important part of health. But in today's modern environment, soft, smooth, flawless skin can be difficult to achieve and even more challenging to maintain. As the body's largest organ, your skin is constantly exposed to contaminated water, air pollution, and the sun, which can sabotage healthy skin and leave lasting effects on skin strength, resiliency, and appearance.
With the emerging trend in skin care products and services, anti-aging, acne-fighting, and other products targeting specific skin care needs are in the news often and on retail shelves everywhere. Most of these products boast of clinical research and proven results but, despite all the hype, can fall short on their promises. Some consumers have sought alternative means of achieving younger, healthier-looking skin, opting for face-lifts, eye-lifts, microderm abrasion, and specialty skin peels for fast, noticeable results. But even though surgical procedures are becoming more mainstream than ever, are you really willing to take the risk for youthful-looking skin? And when it comes to high-end or specialty skin care products, do you really get what you pay for?
No matter how popular these products and procedures are, they can quickly shrink the size of your wallet and present real risks to your health and beauty. As a result, consumers are asking for more medicinal-type truly natural products that are safe, efficacious, and affordable, with noticeable and lasting results.
The use of pure therapeutic-grade essential oils for skin care needs no introduction. Therapeutic-grade essential oils offer pure, potent plant remedies for the skin and have been used since ancient times for a number of skin care needs. It's no secret that pure therapeutic-grade lavender essential oil nourishes stressed or sunburned skin, that sandalwood can hydrate and repair dry or damaged skin, that Melaleuca can prevent the recurrence of breakouts and blemishes.
The extensive history of essential oil use has prompted beauty, cosmetic, and skin care brands to use essential oils to improve the potency of their products. As the leader in the essential oil industry, Young Living recognizes the many benefits of essential oils and has always promoted the use of pure therapeutic-grade essential oils as an important part of any skin care regimen. Having set the standard in quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils, Young Living knows which oils deliver the best results and has carefully selected pure, unadulterated essential oils for premium skin care and beauty products.
We invite you to celebrate living with Young Living's latest essential-oil-based products for the skin. Carefully formulated to treat specific skin care needs, Young Living is pleased to announce three essential-oil-based serums that can enhance your skin care routine and deliver enviable results.
Young Living's Essential Beauty Serums
Specially formulated to treat dry, oily, or acne-prone skin, Young Living's new line of Essential Beauty Serums is designed to protect, stregthen, and improve the appearance of skin. These new serums use pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils such as sandlewood, orange, lavender, and other rare, exotic essential oils like pink pepper, blue cypress, and davana, all known for their remarkable skin care benefits.
Utilizing a proprietary blend of skin-nourishing carrier oils like coconut oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, and wolfberry seed oil, the Essential Beauty Serums can be easily applied ad more readily absorbed in the skin to ensure you're getting the maximum benefits.
Each of the Essential Beauty Serums can be used as a spot treatment before your moisturizer, sun block, or makeup is applied. If preferred, add three to five drops of the serum to Young Living's ART Day Activator (item # 5170) and ART Night Reconstructor (item # 5171) creams, mix well in the palm of your hand, and spread evenly over the face and/or neck. Spot treatment can also be incorporated into this regime as needed.
Dry Skin
ESSENTIAL OIL BEAUTY BLEND
sandlewood, blue cypress, cedarwood, myrrh, clove, and lavender
Essential beauty benefits: Moisturizes and nourishes dehydrated skin.
Order item # 3782
Oily Skin
ESSENTIAL OIL BEAUTY BLEND
spearmint, nutmeg, pink pepper, orange, and davana
Essential beauty benefits: Controls surface oils and minimizes shine.
Order item # 3781
Acne-Prone Skin
ESSENTIAL OIL BEAUTY BLEND
Melalueuca alternifolia, cedarwood, Eucalyptus staigeriana, manuka, and red thyme
Essential beauty benefits: Soothes blemished skin and discourages future breakouts.
Oder item # 3783
For more information on Young Living's Essential Beauty Serums, visit my website or conatct me:
The Very Essence
With the emerging trend in skin care products and services, anti-aging, acne-fighting, and other products targeting specific skin care needs are in the news often and on retail shelves everywhere. Most of these products boast of clinical research and proven results but, despite all the hype, can fall short on their promises. Some consumers have sought alternative means of achieving younger, healthier-looking skin, opting for face-lifts, eye-lifts, microderm abrasion, and specialty skin peels for fast, noticeable results. But even though surgical procedures are becoming more mainstream than ever, are you really willing to take the risk for youthful-looking skin? And when it comes to high-end or specialty skin care products, do you really get what you pay for?
No matter how popular these products and procedures are, they can quickly shrink the size of your wallet and present real risks to your health and beauty. As a result, consumers are asking for more medicinal-type truly natural products that are safe, efficacious, and affordable, with noticeable and lasting results.
The use of pure therapeutic-grade essential oils for skin care needs no introduction. Therapeutic-grade essential oils offer pure, potent plant remedies for the skin and have been used since ancient times for a number of skin care needs. It's no secret that pure therapeutic-grade lavender essential oil nourishes stressed or sunburned skin, that sandalwood can hydrate and repair dry or damaged skin, that Melaleuca can prevent the recurrence of breakouts and blemishes.
The extensive history of essential oil use has prompted beauty, cosmetic, and skin care brands to use essential oils to improve the potency of their products. As the leader in the essential oil industry, Young Living recognizes the many benefits of essential oils and has always promoted the use of pure therapeutic-grade essential oils as an important part of any skin care regimen. Having set the standard in quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils, Young Living knows which oils deliver the best results and has carefully selected pure, unadulterated essential oils for premium skin care and beauty products.
We invite you to celebrate living with Young Living's latest essential-oil-based products for the skin. Carefully formulated to treat specific skin care needs, Young Living is pleased to announce three essential-oil-based serums that can enhance your skin care routine and deliver enviable results.
Young Living's Essential Beauty Serums
Specially formulated to treat dry, oily, or acne-prone skin, Young Living's new line of Essential Beauty Serums is designed to protect, stregthen, and improve the appearance of skin. These new serums use pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils such as sandlewood, orange, lavender, and other rare, exotic essential oils like pink pepper, blue cypress, and davana, all known for their remarkable skin care benefits.
Utilizing a proprietary blend of skin-nourishing carrier oils like coconut oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, and wolfberry seed oil, the Essential Beauty Serums can be easily applied ad more readily absorbed in the skin to ensure you're getting the maximum benefits.
Each of the Essential Beauty Serums can be used as a spot treatment before your moisturizer, sun block, or makeup is applied. If preferred, add three to five drops of the serum to Young Living's ART Day Activator (item # 5170) and ART Night Reconstructor (item # 5171) creams, mix well in the palm of your hand, and spread evenly over the face and/or neck. Spot treatment can also be incorporated into this regime as needed.
Dry Skin
ESSENTIAL OIL BEAUTY BLEND
sandlewood, blue cypress, cedarwood, myrrh, clove, and lavender
Essential beauty benefits: Moisturizes and nourishes dehydrated skin.
Order item # 3782
Oily Skin
ESSENTIAL OIL BEAUTY BLEND
spearmint, nutmeg, pink pepper, orange, and davana
Essential beauty benefits: Controls surface oils and minimizes shine.
Order item # 3781
Acne-Prone Skin
ESSENTIAL OIL BEAUTY BLEND
Melalueuca alternifolia, cedarwood, Eucalyptus staigeriana, manuka, and red thyme
Essential beauty benefits: Soothes blemished skin and discourages future breakouts.
Oder item # 3783
For more information on Young Living's Essential Beauty Serums, visit my website or conatct me:
The Very Essence
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Oregano, Thyme & Rosewood Essential Oils:
Destroy Species of Bacteria
Aromatic Oils Kill Deadly Bacteria
From the October 1998 issue of Prevention Magazine pg 144
Oregano, thyme and rosewood oils appear to destroy the species of bacteria that can cause pneumonia. In a lab study of 74 different oils, researchers found that these three oils were the most effective against the bacteria strain S. Pneumoniae as well as several types of fungi.
"We first investigated this because of a chance observation during an unrelated experiment," says Diane Horne, PhD, professor of microbiology at Weber State University in Ogden, UT. "We noticed that pneumonia cells just fell apart when exposed to certain aromatic sprays."
Although the research is still at a very early stage, it's conceivable that aromatherapy with the three oils may eventually become a helpful tool for controlling pneumonia infections.
* * *
There is scientific research all over showing us how effective essential oils can be, everything from uplifting our mood to combating some stubborn species of germs and viruses.
To see all of the therapeutic-grade essential oils Young Living offers click here to go to my product website The Very Essence, you have no idea what you've been missing if you aren't using Young Living Essential Oils, they are the BEST available!
To your good health.
The information in this blog is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or substitute for professional medical assistance. It is provided as educational and information only for your better understanding of holistic health. In case of medical need, please consult an appropriate licensed professional.
From the October 1998 issue of Prevention Magazine pg 144
Oregano, thyme and rosewood oils appear to destroy the species of bacteria that can cause pneumonia. In a lab study of 74 different oils, researchers found that these three oils were the most effective against the bacteria strain S. Pneumoniae as well as several types of fungi.
"We first investigated this because of a chance observation during an unrelated experiment," says Diane Horne, PhD, professor of microbiology at Weber State University in Ogden, UT. "We noticed that pneumonia cells just fell apart when exposed to certain aromatic sprays."
Although the research is still at a very early stage, it's conceivable that aromatherapy with the three oils may eventually become a helpful tool for controlling pneumonia infections.
* * *
There is scientific research all over showing us how effective essential oils can be, everything from uplifting our mood to combating some stubborn species of germs and viruses.
To see all of the therapeutic-grade essential oils Young Living offers click here to go to my product website The Very Essence, you have no idea what you've been missing if you aren't using Young Living Essential Oils, they are the BEST available!
To your good health.
The information in this blog is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or substitute for professional medical assistance. It is provided as educational and information only for your better understanding of holistic health. In case of medical need, please consult an appropriate licensed professional.
Monday, October 23, 2006
The Imoprtance of an Accurate Diagnosis
by David Stewart Ph.D, D.N.M.
A week after returning from Young Living, on October 7, a massage therapist friend came to visit and mentioned that the chiropractic clinic where she worked was having an open house that day and we should come. She said there was lots of drinks and snacks. Free food was all we needed to hear and my wife and I were off to the open house.
The chiropractor, Dr. Beverly Peters, was offering free spinal scans with her new equipment that measures the electrical currents in your skeletal muscles as well as temperature differences on the skin over the spine. I was in particularly severe pain that day. The electromyogram and thermogram did not show anything significant in the sacral area, but showed extreme inflammation at the lumbar vertebrae--L1, L3, and L5--on the right side. I was astonished and puzzled by the results because I had never had any pain in the lumbar area.
What I learned from Dr. Peters is that pinched nerves in the lumbar area (as well as the sacral area) can result in pains in the thighs, knees, and ankles, just as I had been experiencing. I learned that the location of a pain in our bodies is not necessarily the location of its source. I left her office temporarily confused with the new information on my lumbar. I did not immediately comprehend the significance of what I had learned nor how to make the best use of my new knowledge.
That night, before retiring, I prayed to God for guidance. I said, "God, I am confused. I know my pains are due to some emotional or spiritual deficit on my part, but I don't know what it is or how to deal with it. Please reveal the truth to me so I can learn whatever spiritual lessons I am to learn. If I am to continue to do your work, I need to be rid of this pain." The next morning I awoke with the answer. I received a clear message that the chiropractic assessment for the L1, L3, and L5 lumbar was correct and I should look up the emotional and spiritual roots associated with these vertebrae and take appropriate action.
I immediately consulted with Louise Hay's book, which details the emotions associated with each and every vertebra. I had already consulted her book for the sacral bones, but the affirmations and insights given for the sacrum had not worked. I was focusing on the wrong vertebrae which had led me to the wrong emotional and spiritual issues. With my new knowledge gained by an electro-thermal assessment, I applied the insights and affirmations for L1, L3, and L5, and bingo! My pains were gone within an hour or two and have not been a problem ever since. I sit here painlessly today as I write this article.
It took a correct diagnosis to zero in on the problem and solve it. If I should start to backslide and sense the pain returning, I know I can reaffirm the sayings given by Louse Hay for the issues related to those specific lumbar portions of my spine and the pains will go away.
Several days after the chiropractic clinic open house I went back for another scan (which I paid for this time) and predictably the electro-thermograph showed that the inflammation had almost completely disappeared by then. However, I could see that there was still more work to do, but I feel that finally I have found the last pieces of the puzzle and have a means of attaining and maintaining a permanent healing.
MOST HEALINGS TAKE TIME
The New Testament speaks of various healings by Jesus and his disciples 73 times. We tend to assume that all of these were instantaneous and miraculous. But if you dig into the Greek from which our English Bibles were translated, you find that most of them referred to gradual healing with therapy over time. (See "Healing Oils of the Bible" for more on this.) The reason it often takes time to heal is because it takes time and effort for us to learn the spiritual lessons necessary to allow the healing to take place.
I have learned several spiritual lessons through this experience. Finally, after months of prayer, striving and applying essential oils for physical and emotional assistance, I believe I have finally unraveled my knee problems, which were complex and related to a number of issues, past and present. Along the way I received a series of partial healings, but it has taken time to piece together the whole puzzle facilitated by a resolve to keep praying and searching until the answers are found. Jesus said, "Seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7-8) This is Christ's promise that our "finding and door opening" is assured if we persist. He did not say how long you may need to "seek and knock."
I also learned the value of an accurate diagnosis. In 44 years of married life and raising five children, my wife and I have rarely gone to traditional health care providers of any kind for treatment, but have ocassionally gone to get a diagnosis. We prefer to attend to the healing by our own natural, non-medical means, but determining the best course of action, including adjustments in thoughts and attitudes, is greatly facilitated by an accurate diagnosis. Otherwise you can be spending your time in unproductive approaches. The lesson there is that if what you are doing is not working, keep seeking until find something else to do, knowing that a solution is always to be found if we just don't give up.
This experience makes me realize all the more that our pains and woes are coded messages to gain our attention to nudge us on our way along the spiritual pathway to God. It is not always pleasant nor painless, but when we achieve a victory, we find the peace, joy and presence of God ever closer.
Where and How to Obtain Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils
If you are a Young Living Distributor or a Young Living Customer, you have chosen to avail yourself of the world’s finest oils of Biblical grade quality. If you are not a YL Member and have a friend who is, you should approach them and ask how you can become affiliated with Young Living and purchase these oils. If you do not know of anyone in your community or family that sells these oils, you may create an account at my website:
The Very Essence or contact me.
You cannot practice therapeutic aromatherapy with healing results unless youy use properly produced and packaged oils. Most oils easily available from retail outlets are food or perfume grade oils and do not have the healing properties that Young Living oils possess.
The information in this blog is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or substitute for professional medical assistance. It is provided as information only for your better understanding of holistic health. In case of medical need, please consult an appropriate licensed professional.
A week after returning from Young Living, on October 7, a massage therapist friend came to visit and mentioned that the chiropractic clinic where she worked was having an open house that day and we should come. She said there was lots of drinks and snacks. Free food was all we needed to hear and my wife and I were off to the open house.
The chiropractor, Dr. Beverly Peters, was offering free spinal scans with her new equipment that measures the electrical currents in your skeletal muscles as well as temperature differences on the skin over the spine. I was in particularly severe pain that day. The electromyogram and thermogram did not show anything significant in the sacral area, but showed extreme inflammation at the lumbar vertebrae--L1, L3, and L5--on the right side. I was astonished and puzzled by the results because I had never had any pain in the lumbar area.
What I learned from Dr. Peters is that pinched nerves in the lumbar area (as well as the sacral area) can result in pains in the thighs, knees, and ankles, just as I had been experiencing. I learned that the location of a pain in our bodies is not necessarily the location of its source. I left her office temporarily confused with the new information on my lumbar. I did not immediately comprehend the significance of what I had learned nor how to make the best use of my new knowledge.
That night, before retiring, I prayed to God for guidance. I said, "God, I am confused. I know my pains are due to some emotional or spiritual deficit on my part, but I don't know what it is or how to deal with it. Please reveal the truth to me so I can learn whatever spiritual lessons I am to learn. If I am to continue to do your work, I need to be rid of this pain." The next morning I awoke with the answer. I received a clear message that the chiropractic assessment for the L1, L3, and L5 lumbar was correct and I should look up the emotional and spiritual roots associated with these vertebrae and take appropriate action.
I immediately consulted with Louise Hay's book, which details the emotions associated with each and every vertebra. I had already consulted her book for the sacral bones, but the affirmations and insights given for the sacrum had not worked. I was focusing on the wrong vertebrae which had led me to the wrong emotional and spiritual issues. With my new knowledge gained by an electro-thermal assessment, I applied the insights and affirmations for L1, L3, and L5, and bingo! My pains were gone within an hour or two and have not been a problem ever since. I sit here painlessly today as I write this article.
It took a correct diagnosis to zero in on the problem and solve it. If I should start to backslide and sense the pain returning, I know I can reaffirm the sayings given by Louse Hay for the issues related to those specific lumbar portions of my spine and the pains will go away.
Several days after the chiropractic clinic open house I went back for another scan (which I paid for this time) and predictably the electro-thermograph showed that the inflammation had almost completely disappeared by then. However, I could see that there was still more work to do, but I feel that finally I have found the last pieces of the puzzle and have a means of attaining and maintaining a permanent healing.
MOST HEALINGS TAKE TIME
The New Testament speaks of various healings by Jesus and his disciples 73 times. We tend to assume that all of these were instantaneous and miraculous. But if you dig into the Greek from which our English Bibles were translated, you find that most of them referred to gradual healing with therapy over time. (See "Healing Oils of the Bible" for more on this.) The reason it often takes time to heal is because it takes time and effort for us to learn the spiritual lessons necessary to allow the healing to take place.
I have learned several spiritual lessons through this experience. Finally, after months of prayer, striving and applying essential oils for physical and emotional assistance, I believe I have finally unraveled my knee problems, which were complex and related to a number of issues, past and present. Along the way I received a series of partial healings, but it has taken time to piece together the whole puzzle facilitated by a resolve to keep praying and searching until the answers are found. Jesus said, "Seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7-8) This is Christ's promise that our "finding and door opening" is assured if we persist. He did not say how long you may need to "seek and knock."
I also learned the value of an accurate diagnosis. In 44 years of married life and raising five children, my wife and I have rarely gone to traditional health care providers of any kind for treatment, but have ocassionally gone to get a diagnosis. We prefer to attend to the healing by our own natural, non-medical means, but determining the best course of action, including adjustments in thoughts and attitudes, is greatly facilitated by an accurate diagnosis. Otherwise you can be spending your time in unproductive approaches. The lesson there is that if what you are doing is not working, keep seeking until find something else to do, knowing that a solution is always to be found if we just don't give up.
This experience makes me realize all the more that our pains and woes are coded messages to gain our attention to nudge us on our way along the spiritual pathway to God. It is not always pleasant nor painless, but when we achieve a victory, we find the peace, joy and presence of God ever closer.
Where and How to Obtain Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils
If you are a Young Living Distributor or a Young Living Customer, you have chosen to avail yourself of the world’s finest oils of Biblical grade quality. If you are not a YL Member and have a friend who is, you should approach them and ask how you can become affiliated with Young Living and purchase these oils. If you do not know of anyone in your community or family that sells these oils, you may create an account at my website:
The Very Essence or contact me.
You cannot practice therapeutic aromatherapy with healing results unless youy use properly produced and packaged oils. Most oils easily available from retail outlets are food or perfume grade oils and do not have the healing properties that Young Living oils possess.
The information in this blog is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or substitute for professional medical assistance. It is provided as information only for your better understanding of holistic health. In case of medical need, please consult an appropriate licensed professional.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
When a Rose is a Rose
by David Stewart, Ph.D., R.A.
Most men and women enjoy perfumes, whether they be colognes, aftershave lotions, sachets, or costly potions to titillate emotions. There are perfumes for the morning, for the working day, for occasions of entertainment, for the evening, and for the night. Some people wear different fragrances according the occasion and the time of day. People usually wear fragrances for a purpose.
Flowers do the same. If you have a rose garden, you may have sampled their perfumes individually by putting your nose right into the bloom. If you haven’t done this, I recommend it. The first thing you will notice is that every variety of rose has its own distinct signature of scent.
People are like that, too. They pick perfumes that suit their personalities, which is an individual thing for each person. We express our personalities through our choices of the scents we choose to wear. Roses do the same. From an individual rose’s point of view, they want to be a rose that stands out, one that is different from the rest of the bushs and even from every other rose on the same bush. Try smelling several roses on the same bush and you will learn that there is not just one scent associated with that variety, but a suite of scents. While each rose flower shares the common characteristics of its family, it expresses a unique individuality as well.
Another thing you will notice about roses is that they also change their perfumes with the time of day. What they wear in the morning won’t be the same as in the afternoon or night. Jasmine, for example, attracts certain night flying insects. Hence, its strongest fragrance is released after midnight, before sunrise. Since the primary purpose of a flower’s odor is to attract pollinating insects, adjusting scents throughout the day actually attracts different insects at different times, just as different insects come out at different times from early morning, to late afternoon, to evening, and through the dark of night.
Flower fragrances also change with the aging of the bloom. You will notice in smelling your rose blossums closely and individually, is that what they waft as a new partially opened bud is not the same as in the mature blossum. Scents are normally not strong in the bud because at that time, the petals are not yet open and ready for pollinating visitors. It is when they are newly and fully opened that their perfume is the strongest. When a flower ages and its pollination is complete, it loses its scent, its purpose having been fulfilled. All of this is something you can experience in your own rose garden (or someone elses).
Gertrude Stein, has aptly said in her poetry, “A rose is a rose is a rose,” (Sacred Emily, 1913). It was her attempt to express the unexpressable—the singular beauty, touch, and fragrance of a rose. Rose oil is probably the most expensive of all essential oils and has the highest electromagnetic frequency (320 MHz) (you can read more about the frequency of essential oils in my previous post, The Vibrational Frequency of Essential Oils ). Thousands of pounds of petals are required to distill even one pound of precious oil. It’s aroma is physically, mentally, and spiritually elevating. Many eye witnesses to miracles, visions, and spiritual manifestations have reported the scent of roses lingering about the site of the experience.
Most people cannot afford to purchase rose oil, but you don’t have to wait until you buy it to experience it? It is available at no cost to everyone. Just find a blooming rose bush and start inhaling. What you will receive is true, pure, unadulterated rose oil directly from the flower, itself. You will also enjoy the visual beauty of its appearance at the same time. By caressing the flowers gently with your fingers and by letting your nose come into contact with the velvet surface of the petals, you will experience the rose with three senses, not just one—sight, smell, and touch. Some people even eat rose petals, thus engaging the sense of taste, taking traces of the oil internally.
This is the way God originally meant for us to enjoy essential oils, by inhaling and contacting them directly from nature the way Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:8) In our busy lives, we mustn’t forget to stop once and a while to “smell the roses.”
NOTE: The excerpt above is from Dr. Stewart's book titled, The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple and its subtitle is God's Love Manifest in Molecules. 485 pages, its price $29.95 and can be purchased to the link in the left colum of this website.
If you would like to purchase high quality Rose essential oil (item # 3623), which is absolutely heavenly, you can do so through my product website at The Very Essence
Most men and women enjoy perfumes, whether they be colognes, aftershave lotions, sachets, or costly potions to titillate emotions. There are perfumes for the morning, for the working day, for occasions of entertainment, for the evening, and for the night. Some people wear different fragrances according the occasion and the time of day. People usually wear fragrances for a purpose.
Flowers do the same. If you have a rose garden, you may have sampled their perfumes individually by putting your nose right into the bloom. If you haven’t done this, I recommend it. The first thing you will notice is that every variety of rose has its own distinct signature of scent.
People are like that, too. They pick perfumes that suit their personalities, which is an individual thing for each person. We express our personalities through our choices of the scents we choose to wear. Roses do the same. From an individual rose’s point of view, they want to be a rose that stands out, one that is different from the rest of the bushs and even from every other rose on the same bush. Try smelling several roses on the same bush and you will learn that there is not just one scent associated with that variety, but a suite of scents. While each rose flower shares the common characteristics of its family, it expresses a unique individuality as well.
Another thing you will notice about roses is that they also change their perfumes with the time of day. What they wear in the morning won’t be the same as in the afternoon or night. Jasmine, for example, attracts certain night flying insects. Hence, its strongest fragrance is released after midnight, before sunrise. Since the primary purpose of a flower’s odor is to attract pollinating insects, adjusting scents throughout the day actually attracts different insects at different times, just as different insects come out at different times from early morning, to late afternoon, to evening, and through the dark of night.
Flower fragrances also change with the aging of the bloom. You will notice in smelling your rose blossums closely and individually, is that what they waft as a new partially opened bud is not the same as in the mature blossum. Scents are normally not strong in the bud because at that time, the petals are not yet open and ready for pollinating visitors. It is when they are newly and fully opened that their perfume is the strongest. When a flower ages and its pollination is complete, it loses its scent, its purpose having been fulfilled. All of this is something you can experience in your own rose garden (or someone elses).
Gertrude Stein, has aptly said in her poetry, “A rose is a rose is a rose,” (Sacred Emily, 1913). It was her attempt to express the unexpressable—the singular beauty, touch, and fragrance of a rose. Rose oil is probably the most expensive of all essential oils and has the highest electromagnetic frequency (320 MHz) (you can read more about the frequency of essential oils in my previous post, The Vibrational Frequency of Essential Oils ). Thousands of pounds of petals are required to distill even one pound of precious oil. It’s aroma is physically, mentally, and spiritually elevating. Many eye witnesses to miracles, visions, and spiritual manifestations have reported the scent of roses lingering about the site of the experience.
Most people cannot afford to purchase rose oil, but you don’t have to wait until you buy it to experience it? It is available at no cost to everyone. Just find a blooming rose bush and start inhaling. What you will receive is true, pure, unadulterated rose oil directly from the flower, itself. You will also enjoy the visual beauty of its appearance at the same time. By caressing the flowers gently with your fingers and by letting your nose come into contact with the velvet surface of the petals, you will experience the rose with three senses, not just one—sight, smell, and touch. Some people even eat rose petals, thus engaging the sense of taste, taking traces of the oil internally.
This is the way God originally meant for us to enjoy essential oils, by inhaling and contacting them directly from nature the way Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:8) In our busy lives, we mustn’t forget to stop once and a while to “smell the roses.”
NOTE: The excerpt above is from Dr. Stewart's book titled, The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple and its subtitle is God's Love Manifest in Molecules. 485 pages, its price $29.95 and can be purchased to the link in the left colum of this website.
If you would like to purchase high quality Rose essential oil (item # 3623), which is absolutely heavenly, you can do so through my product website at The Very Essence
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
A REAL Veggie Burger Recipe
I've had quite a few people ask me since I posteded Do You Know What's in the Foods You're Eating? and Hidden Sources of MSG: in regular & organic foods1, "well, what's left to eat out there that doesn't have MSG and other unwanted chemicals?"
Many have told me they eat a lot of soy and Veggie Burgers, thinking that those were healthy choices, and now they just don't know what to eat. The only thing I can suggest is to locate local farmers who do use true organic methods, and AVOID soy, cow's dairy and processed foods like they're poison (because they are).
So, what's left to fill up on?
For starters here's my terrific veggie burger recipe. And I suggest going out there and finding local sources of good clean local foods for ingredients. They are out there, you will find them. Or, if you have a few acres, you may want to think about growing as much of your own organic food as possible, it's fun, it's beautiful, and the taste and quality cannot be beat.
My Veggie Burger Recipe
4 Cups Black Beans (canned & drained is ok, but organic cooked & drained is better)
1 1/2 cups Brown Rice cooked
1 large mashed Sweet Potato
1 cup Pine Nuts (chopped fine)
1 Cup Rolled Oats
1 1/4 cups Carrot Juice
1 cup finely grated carrots (use the pulp from the juiced carrots)
1/2 a large Onion (chopped fine)
6-8 cloves of finely chopped Garlic
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Parsley (dried)
2 Tablespoons Thyme (dried)
2 Tablespoons Dill Weed (dried)
2 Tablespoons Celery Seed (dried)
1 Tablespoon Curry Powder
1 Tablespoon Orange Peel (dried)
Sea Salt to taste (maybe 3/4 teaspoon)
2 Avocado’s peeled and mashed (optional garnish for on top of patties in place of catsup)
A nice Goat’s Milk Cheese is terrific on these too!
Preheat oven to 325. Mix all ingredients together. Make patties. Lightly oil a cookie sheet and bake patties for 30-45 minutes (depending on thickness & diameter of patties), flip after 15 minutes.
Serve with dollops of Avacodo or melted Goat’s Cheese, or let cool and freeze (without the toppings) for a fast dinner. Double recipe for larger families and freeze the extra’s.
Note: the patties can fall apart easily so handle with care during and after baking. I also suggest organic raw Goat's milk products because they are the closest to human milk and taste a whole lot better than dairy.
Makes about 14 - 3 inch diameter, 1/2 inch thick patties.
If you’re looking for a Veggie Burger that has NO MSG, no Soy, and is a ‘true’ veggie burger, this is for you. This is a fantastic recipe and contains only wholesome ingredients. Feel free to change the herbs (try using a drop of essential oil in pace of the different herbs), to get high quality essential oils that can be used in cooking Visit my website: The Very Essence and experiment as this recipe is very flexible and makes a great starting point for new variations!
Enjoy!
Many have told me they eat a lot of soy and Veggie Burgers, thinking that those were healthy choices, and now they just don't know what to eat. The only thing I can suggest is to locate local farmers who do use true organic methods, and AVOID soy, cow's dairy and processed foods like they're poison (because they are).
So, what's left to fill up on?
For starters here's my terrific veggie burger recipe. And I suggest going out there and finding local sources of good clean local foods for ingredients. They are out there, you will find them. Or, if you have a few acres, you may want to think about growing as much of your own organic food as possible, it's fun, it's beautiful, and the taste and quality cannot be beat.
My Veggie Burger Recipe
4 Cups Black Beans (canned & drained is ok, but organic cooked & drained is better)
1 1/2 cups Brown Rice cooked
1 large mashed Sweet Potato
1 cup Pine Nuts (chopped fine)
1 Cup Rolled Oats
1 1/4 cups Carrot Juice
1 cup finely grated carrots (use the pulp from the juiced carrots)
1/2 a large Onion (chopped fine)
6-8 cloves of finely chopped Garlic
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Parsley (dried)
2 Tablespoons Thyme (dried)
2 Tablespoons Dill Weed (dried)
2 Tablespoons Celery Seed (dried)
1 Tablespoon Curry Powder
1 Tablespoon Orange Peel (dried)
Sea Salt to taste (maybe 3/4 teaspoon)
2 Avocado’s peeled and mashed (optional garnish for on top of patties in place of catsup)
A nice Goat’s Milk Cheese is terrific on these too!
Preheat oven to 325. Mix all ingredients together. Make patties. Lightly oil a cookie sheet and bake patties for 30-45 minutes (depending on thickness & diameter of patties), flip after 15 minutes.
Serve with dollops of Avacodo or melted Goat’s Cheese, or let cool and freeze (without the toppings) for a fast dinner. Double recipe for larger families and freeze the extra’s.
Note: the patties can fall apart easily so handle with care during and after baking. I also suggest organic raw Goat's milk products because they are the closest to human milk and taste a whole lot better than dairy.
Makes about 14 - 3 inch diameter, 1/2 inch thick patties.
If you’re looking for a Veggie Burger that has NO MSG, no Soy, and is a ‘true’ veggie burger, this is for you. This is a fantastic recipe and contains only wholesome ingredients. Feel free to change the herbs (try using a drop of essential oil in pace of the different herbs), to get high quality essential oils that can be used in cooking Visit my website: The Very Essence and experiment as this recipe is very flexible and makes a great starting point for new variations!
Enjoy!
None Dare Call It Genocide: Population Control
I came across and very interesting video yesterday, see "None Dare Call it Genocide" link below. I found it in an article I was reading at
This video link below is a lecture by Dr. Stanley Monteith. I think he has a lot of interesting information to share and, despite it's length, it is extremely worth watching and listening to. Plan to be sitting and listening for a while, it gets better and better as it goes along.
If you have been wondering too long, like I have, "why things seem so strange, like everything is so different and odd, and wondering why so many of us are ill so much of the time"... you have GOT to see this!
None Dare Call It Genocide
then click on the "Windows Media (83 MB)" to view the video.
I'l tell you right now, it will make you think twice about a lot of things after listening to it.
News Target
on dietary supplements, Codex Alimentarius and our health freedoms.This video link below is a lecture by Dr. Stanley Monteith. I think he has a lot of interesting information to share and, despite it's length, it is extremely worth watching and listening to. Plan to be sitting and listening for a while, it gets better and better as it goes along.
If you have been wondering too long, like I have, "why things seem so strange, like everything is so different and odd, and wondering why so many of us are ill so much of the time"... you have GOT to see this!
None Dare Call It Genocide
then click on the "Windows Media (83 MB)" to view the video.
I'l tell you right now, it will make you think twice about a lot of things after listening to it.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
If We Become Silent (a MUST for all)...
This is a link to a VERY interesting 25 minute long documentary. I HIGHLY recommend watching it...
We Become Silent
It is stated that you must have high speed internet to watch it. However, if you don't have high speed access the DVD can be purchased through the link above.
We Become Silent
It is stated that you must have high speed internet to watch it. However, if you don't have high speed access the DVD can be purchased through the link above.
Monday, October 16, 2006
How to Use Therapeutic-grade Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil is often referred to as the universal oil, because there is such an aray of uses for this delightful essential oil, such as cuts, bruises, burns, headaches, and insomnia. I recommend that everyone keep a bottle of lavender on hand! The following "fact sheet" is exerpted from the Essential Oils Desk Reference Guide(to buy this book, see the book link in the left column, published by Essential Science Publishing.
LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia)
(item # 3575)
ACTION: Antiseptic, analgesic, antitumoral, anticonvulsant, sedative, anti-inflammatory. Lavender is beneficial for cleansing cuts and wounds and is ideal for skin care, since it prevents the build up of excess sebum, a skin oil that bacteria feed on. Lavender has also been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects.
TRADITIONAL USES: The French scientist René Gatefossé was the first to discover lavender’s ability to promote tissue regeneration and speed wound healing when he severely burned his arm in a laboratory accident. Today, lavender is one of the few essential oils to still be listed in the British Pharmacopoeia.
INDICATIONS: Burns (cell renewal), sunburns (including lips), dandruff, hair loss, allergies, convulsions, herpes, headaches, indigestion, insomnia, high blood pressure, menopausal conditions, nausea, phlebitis, tumors, premenstrual conditions, scarring (minimizes), skin conditions (acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes) and stretch marks. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises, and skin irritations.
OTHER USES: Lavender is a universal oil with many different applications. It may help arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, convulsions, depression, earaches, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, hives (urticaria), insect bites, laryngitis, nervous tension, respiratory infections, rheumatism, and throat infections.
A few idea's of the multitude of ways to use your Therapeutic Grade Lavender oil:
• Rub Lavender oil on the feet for a calming effect on the body.
• Rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep.
• Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce swelling.
• Put 2-3 drops of Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain.
• Drop Lavender oil on a cut to stop the bleeding.
• Mix several drops of Lavender oil with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil and use topically on eczema and dermatitis.
• To alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on the end of the tongue or around the naval or behind the ears.
• To stop a nosebleed, put a drop of Lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum).
• Rub a drop of Lavender oil over the bridge of the nose to unblock tear ducts.
• Rub Lavender oil on dry or chapped skin.
• Rub a drop of Lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips.
• To reduce or minimize the formation of scar tissue, massage Lavender oil on and around the affected area.
• Rub 2 – 4 drops of Lavender oil over the armpit area to act as a deodorant.
• Rub a drop of Lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
• Rub several drops of Lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
• Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a cotton ball and place in your linen closet to scent the linens and repel moths and insects.
• Place a drop of Lavender oil in your water fountain to scent the air, kill bacteria and prolong the time between cleanings.
• Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth and throw into the dryer, which will deodorize and freshen your laundry.
• Put a drop of Lavender oil on a cold sore.
• Diffuse Lavender oil to alleviate the symptoms of allergies.
• Spritz several drops of Lavender oil mixed with distilled water on a sunburn to decrease pain.
• Drop Lavender oil on a cut to clean the wound and kill bacteria.
• Apply 2-3 drops of Lavender oil to a rash to stop the itching and heal the skin.
FRAGRANCE INFUENCE: Calming, relaxing, and balancing, both physically and emotionally.
THE PROVERBIAL DISCLAIMER
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
And please, do not attempt any of the above with store bought Lavender as it is NOT the same quality.
To purchase therapeutic-grade Lavender essential oil (item # 3575) visit my website at: The Very Essence
LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia)
(item # 3575)
ACTION: Antiseptic, analgesic, antitumoral, anticonvulsant, sedative, anti-inflammatory. Lavender is beneficial for cleansing cuts and wounds and is ideal for skin care, since it prevents the build up of excess sebum, a skin oil that bacteria feed on. Lavender has also been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects.
TRADITIONAL USES: The French scientist René Gatefossé was the first to discover lavender’s ability to promote tissue regeneration and speed wound healing when he severely burned his arm in a laboratory accident. Today, lavender is one of the few essential oils to still be listed in the British Pharmacopoeia.
INDICATIONS: Burns (cell renewal), sunburns (including lips), dandruff, hair loss, allergies, convulsions, herpes, headaches, indigestion, insomnia, high blood pressure, menopausal conditions, nausea, phlebitis, tumors, premenstrual conditions, scarring (minimizes), skin conditions (acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes) and stretch marks. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises, and skin irritations.
OTHER USES: Lavender is a universal oil with many different applications. It may help arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, convulsions, depression, earaches, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, hives (urticaria), insect bites, laryngitis, nervous tension, respiratory infections, rheumatism, and throat infections.
A few idea's of the multitude of ways to use your Therapeutic Grade Lavender oil:
• Rub Lavender oil on the feet for a calming effect on the body.
• Rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep.
• Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce swelling.
• Put 2-3 drops of Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain.
• Drop Lavender oil on a cut to stop the bleeding.
• Mix several drops of Lavender oil with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil and use topically on eczema and dermatitis.
• To alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on the end of the tongue or around the naval or behind the ears.
• To stop a nosebleed, put a drop of Lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum).
• Rub a drop of Lavender oil over the bridge of the nose to unblock tear ducts.
• Rub Lavender oil on dry or chapped skin.
• Rub a drop of Lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips.
• To reduce or minimize the formation of scar tissue, massage Lavender oil on and around the affected area.
• Rub 2 – 4 drops of Lavender oil over the armpit area to act as a deodorant.
• Rub a drop of Lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
• Rub several drops of Lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
• Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a cotton ball and place in your linen closet to scent the linens and repel moths and insects.
• Place a drop of Lavender oil in your water fountain to scent the air, kill bacteria and prolong the time between cleanings.
• Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth and throw into the dryer, which will deodorize and freshen your laundry.
• Put a drop of Lavender oil on a cold sore.
• Diffuse Lavender oil to alleviate the symptoms of allergies.
• Spritz several drops of Lavender oil mixed with distilled water on a sunburn to decrease pain.
• Drop Lavender oil on a cut to clean the wound and kill bacteria.
• Apply 2-3 drops of Lavender oil to a rash to stop the itching and heal the skin.
FRAGRANCE INFUENCE: Calming, relaxing, and balancing, both physically and emotionally.
THE PROVERBIAL DISCLAIMER
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
And please, do not attempt any of the above with store bought Lavender as it is NOT the same quality.
To purchase therapeutic-grade Lavender essential oil (item # 3575) visit my website at: The Very Essence
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Essential Oil Blend: Purification
PURIFICATION (item #3399)
This is a great essential oil blend. It smells so wonderful and is not a cover-up synthetic fragrance. All of our Young Living essential oils are organic therapeutic-grade. Which means you ARE getting the finest quality products available in the world.
Plus, you're getting all of the benefits of these terrific plants...
ACTION: This is an antiseptic blend formulated for diffusing to help purify the home and work environment using therapeutic-grade essential oils. It cleanses the air and neutralizes mildew, cigarette smoke, and disagreeable odors. When applied directly to the skin, Purification may be used to cleanse cuts and scrapes and may help neutralize the poison of bites from spiders, bees, hornets, wasps.
CONTAINS:
• Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) is antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antispasmodic, and soothing to the tissues.
• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) has strong antifungal properties when applied topically.
• Lavandin (Lavandula x hybrida) is antifungal, antibacterial, a strong antiseptic, and a tissue regenerator.
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is antiseptic and antimicrobial and may be beneficial for skin conditions and dandruff. It may help fight Candida and is anti-infectious and antispasmodic.
• Melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia) is antiseptic, anti-infectious, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulating, decongestant, neurotonic, and protects against radiation.
• Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is antibacterial and may support immune function in fighting cold, flu, and infectious disease.
SAFETY DATA: If pregnant or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician prior to use. May be irritating to those with sensitive skin. Avoid eye contact. In case of accidental contact, put a few drops of any pure vegetable oil in the eye and call your doctor if necessary. Never use water.
APPLICATIONS: Diffuse 15 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours. Apply topically to disinfect and cleanse. Put on cotton balls to place in air vents in the home, car, hotel room, office, enclosed areas, etc. Put on cotton balls and place in air vents in the home, car, hotel room, office, and other enclosed areas for purifying and repelling insects.
• Diffuse Purification oil to clean the air and neutralize foul or stale odors.
• Put several drops of Purification oil on a cotton ball and place in the air vents in the home, office, hotel room or other enclosed area.
• While traveling, inhale Purification oil during flights to protect you from pathogens found in the re-circulated air.
• Put a drop of Purification oil on insect bites to cleanse and stop the itching.
• Apply a drop of Purification oil on blemishes to clear the skin.
• Rub a drop of Purification oil on the outside of a sore throat when it is first beginning.
• Rub a drop of Purification oil on a blister to cleanse and disinfect.
• Put 2 drops of Purification oil on two cotton balls and place in the toes of smelly sneakers to combat odors.
• Place a drop of Purification oil on each end of a cotton swab and place on top of your cold-water humidifier to clean the air.
• Dilute Purification oil with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil (item # 3775) and swab the nasal cavity to ward off the flu.
• Spritz several drops of Purification oil mixed with water to repel insects.
• Apply Purification oil and Peppermint oil diluted with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil (item # 3775) to a cotton swab and rub just inside the ear to eliminate ear mites in cats and dogs.
COMPANION PRODUCTS: Melrose (item # 3378), Citrus Fresh (item # 3318), and Thieves (3423).
To order the essential oil blend Purification go to my website at
The Very Essence
This is a great essential oil blend. It smells so wonderful and is not a cover-up synthetic fragrance. All of our Young Living essential oils are organic therapeutic-grade. Which means you ARE getting the finest quality products available in the world.
Plus, you're getting all of the benefits of these terrific plants...
ACTION: This is an antiseptic blend formulated for diffusing to help purify the home and work environment using therapeutic-grade essential oils. It cleanses the air and neutralizes mildew, cigarette smoke, and disagreeable odors. When applied directly to the skin, Purification may be used to cleanse cuts and scrapes and may help neutralize the poison of bites from spiders, bees, hornets, wasps.
CONTAINS:
• Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) is antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antispasmodic, and soothing to the tissues.
• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) has strong antifungal properties when applied topically.
• Lavandin (Lavandula x hybrida) is antifungal, antibacterial, a strong antiseptic, and a tissue regenerator.
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is antiseptic and antimicrobial and may be beneficial for skin conditions and dandruff. It may help fight Candida and is anti-infectious and antispasmodic.
• Melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia) is antiseptic, anti-infectious, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulating, decongestant, neurotonic, and protects against radiation.
• Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is antibacterial and may support immune function in fighting cold, flu, and infectious disease.
SAFETY DATA: If pregnant or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician prior to use. May be irritating to those with sensitive skin. Avoid eye contact. In case of accidental contact, put a few drops of any pure vegetable oil in the eye and call your doctor if necessary. Never use water.
APPLICATIONS: Diffuse 15 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours. Apply topically to disinfect and cleanse. Put on cotton balls to place in air vents in the home, car, hotel room, office, enclosed areas, etc. Put on cotton balls and place in air vents in the home, car, hotel room, office, and other enclosed areas for purifying and repelling insects.
• Diffuse Purification oil to clean the air and neutralize foul or stale odors.
• Put several drops of Purification oil on a cotton ball and place in the air vents in the home, office, hotel room or other enclosed area.
• While traveling, inhale Purification oil during flights to protect you from pathogens found in the re-circulated air.
• Put a drop of Purification oil on insect bites to cleanse and stop the itching.
• Apply a drop of Purification oil on blemishes to clear the skin.
• Rub a drop of Purification oil on the outside of a sore throat when it is first beginning.
• Rub a drop of Purification oil on a blister to cleanse and disinfect.
• Put 2 drops of Purification oil on two cotton balls and place in the toes of smelly sneakers to combat odors.
• Place a drop of Purification oil on each end of a cotton swab and place on top of your cold-water humidifier to clean the air.
• Dilute Purification oil with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil (item # 3775) and swab the nasal cavity to ward off the flu.
• Spritz several drops of Purification oil mixed with water to repel insects.
• Apply Purification oil and Peppermint oil diluted with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil (item # 3775) to a cotton swab and rub just inside the ear to eliminate ear mites in cats and dogs.
COMPANION PRODUCTS: Melrose (item # 3378), Citrus Fresh (item # 3318), and Thieves (3423).
To order the essential oil blend Purification go to my website at
The Very Essence
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Omega Blue is Here!
(item # 3190)
Pure Fish Oil + Omega Enhance
Product Summary:
Omega Blue is a clinically proven dose of omega-3 (EPA, DHA, ALA) fatty acid nutrients blended with Young Living's therapeutic grade Omega Enhance blend. The Omega Enhance blend protects the omega-3 fats from oxidation, while supplying the activity of the legendary blue (German) chamomile, myrrh, lemongrass and clove essential oils.
Product Story:
There are good fats and bad fats. Omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish oil are among the best good fats. Volumes of research confirm that omega-3 fats reduce systemic inflammation and support cardiovascular, joint, eye and brain health. * While eating more fish is one way to consume these essential fatty acids, it is important to note that fish is often polluted with mercury and other toxins.
A great alternative to fish is to supplement daily with Omega Blue. Not only does this product provide a clinically proven dose of pure, un-concentrated fish oil, it is free from mercury and other toxins. In addition to high quality fish oils, Omega Blue contains our proprietary Omega Enhance therapeutic-grade essential oil blend with legendary blue (German) chamomile and myrrh essential oils to support a healthy inflammatory response. * Lemongrass essential oil provides cardiovascular protection and supports healthy cholesterol levels, while clove and myrrh essential oils provide added antioxidant support. * The Omega Enhance blend strengthens omeda-3 fats and makes Omega Blue at least ten times more stable than other fish oils. What's more, a Precision Delivery coating triples omega-3 absorption by releasing three stable, bioactive nutrients directly in the intestines.
Primary Benefits:
Omega-3 fats offer unparalleled support for healthy heart, circulatory, eye, brain and joint function. *
Studies show that fish oil is helpful in alleviating skin, respiratory and autoimmune disorders.*
Clove oil is nature's strongest antioxidant and richest source of eugenol. ** Research indicates that clove protects fish oil to ensure freshness and prevent rancidity.
Precision Delivery softgels release fish oil in the intestines for three times more absorption and no fishy aftertaste.
** as measured by ORAC testing.
What Makes This Product Unique?
The single most important factor to consider with fish oil is freshness. Fish oil can be so fragile that some cultures prefer to buy live fish and avoid dangerous rancidity. Consuming rancid fish oil is like declaring war on your body, and it can contain millions of free radicals that damage your cells. Thus it is important to look for fish oil that is strengthened with natural antioxidants to preserve the fish oil and protect freshness. Omega Blue contains the Omega Enhance blend of blue (German) chamomile, lemongrass, myrrh and clove therapeutic-grade essential oils. This essential oil blend delivers a number of health benefits, including the very best antioxidant protection from clove and myrrh essential oils, the two highest ranking substances on the ORAC scale. The Omega Enhance blend also keeps the fish oil ten times more stable to ensure freshness throughout preparation, while in the softgel, and during metabolism.
OMEGA BLUE
It is also important to find a fish oil with natural ratios of omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA). EPA should represent about 14-18% of the fish oil and DHA between 8-12%. Higher ratios can indicate the fish oil may have undergone further processing, which can increase rancidity and concentrate fishy flavor.
Who Should Use This Product?
Omega Blue may be used by children and adults for a daily clinical dose of omega-3 fats.
Did you Know?
Young Living's fish oil is harvested from small fish in pristine waters and is free of heavy metals (mercury, lead) PCBs and dioxins.
Lemongrass essential oil has been clinically shown to support normal cholesterol levels and The Complete German Commission E Monographs lists lemongrass essential oil as an essential oil that is used for disorders and discomforts of the gastrointestinal tract. *
Myrrh essential oil has high levels of sesquiterpenes, a class of compounds that have a direct effect on the hypothalmus, pituitary and amygdala, or the seat of our emotions. * Myrrh oil is the second highest ranking substance on the ORAC scale preceded only by clove essential oil.
Fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help children who cannot focus while at school. *
Key Ingredients:
Pure fish oil and blue (German) chamomile, lemongrass, myrrh and clove therapeutic-grade essential oils.
Key Scientific Studies:
Clemens von Schacky, "N-3 Fatty acids and the prevention of coronary atherosclerosis," Am J Clin Nutr. (2000);71 224S-7S
G .L. Nielsen, et al. "Thee effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 oly unsaturated fatty acids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; a randomized, double-blind trial," Eur J Clin Inves. (1992) 22, 687-691
C .E. Elson, et al., "Impact of Lemongrass oil, an essential oil, on Serum Cholesterol." Lipids. (1989) 24;8.
H. Safayhi, et al., "Chamazulene (found in blue chamomile): An antioxidant type inhibitor of Leukotriene B4 formation." (1994) 60 410-413.
How to Use Omega Blue:
Take 1 softgel capsule three times daily or as desired.
Caution:
If pregnant or if you have a medical condition, consult with a health care professional before use.
Complementary Products:
Omega Blue (item # 3190), Ningxia Red (item # 3003), Longevity (item # 3289), and Balance Complete (item # 3292)
Visit my Website: The Very Essence
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are DHA and EPA?
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (decosahexaenoic acid) are simply omega-3 fats. Both EPA and DHA are found in fish oil and research shows us they are vital to its therapeutic activity.
Are omega-3 fats from fish oil better than the fats found in flaxseed oil?
The omega-3 fats ALA and EPA must be converted into DHA to be used by the body. Fish oil contains EPA and DHA, and flaxseed oil contains ALA. EPA is one conversion away from DHA; however, ALA is two. Meaning, it takes a lot of ALA, or a significant amount of flaxseed oil, to make a small amount of DHA. Therefore, if you want the therapeutic benefits of DHA, fish oil is your best choice.
Why do you enteric coat your fish oil?
Omega Blue's Precision Delivery softgels are coated to protect the fish oil from oxidation and stomach acids and to time-release the oils in the intestines.
Omega Blue can be found at my website: The Very Essence
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Hidden Sources of MSG: in regular & organic foods!
For those of you who haven't had time to do a little research on MSG, I've put together some very interesting excerpts from, Truth in Labeling.org. I've been buying organic foods for probably 30 years now. A few years back I remember the organic people getting all upset about the USDA take-over of the organic regulations. We knew that they would 'not' live up to our high expectations, we just weren't sure how they would completely destroy a very important and necessary industry. Well, I've found some answers....
Excerpts on MSG from Truth in Labeling (www.truthinlabeling.org)
Beware - "Organic" Doesn't Mean "No MSG"
"Autolyzed Yeast" and "Natural Flavoring" in organic products contain just as much processed free glutamic acid (MSG) as in conventional products
In the late 1990s, when the Truth in Labeling Campaign became aware that there was to be a National Organic Program run by the USDA, we were fearful that placing a national organic program with the USDA would almost certainly undermine the integrity of the organic industry. Our deep seated concern stemmed from our growing understanding of the tremendous pro-big business, consumer-be-dammed influences exerted over Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA staffs by the food and drug industries; and our growing understanding of FDA and USDA infrastructures that enabled revolving door policies whereby industry personnel rotated in and out of the FDA and USDA, and/or FDA and USDA employees took lucrative jobs in the food and/or drug industries after retiring from the FDA or USDA. (We would later learn that those same influences affected decisions made my the US. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)).
On August 8, 1997, Auxein Corporation made application to the EPA for registration of its pesticide product AuxiGro WP Plant Metabolic Primer (AuxiGro) containing the active ingredients GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) at 29.2 percent and processed free glutamic acid (MSG) (identified in the application as "glutamic acid" ) at 36.5 percent. Federal Register notices chronicling the application and approval of processed free glutamic acid (MSG) and AuxiGro are available on the Web via GPO Access, the Federal Register, through: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. Testing of AuxiGro was also approved in that year, and many of the test crops sprayed with AuxiGro were brought to market without giving notice to consumers.
On January, 7 1998, the EPA granted processed free glutamic acid (MSG) (identified as "glutamic acid") an exemption from establishment of a tolerance limit--meaning that there would be no limit to the amount of MSG residue from AuxiGro that could remain on a crop when brought to market. In that same month, AuxiGro was approved for use on a number of crops. Approval for use on all other crops came later. These approvals were not announced in the Federal Register.
On September 25, 1998, the name first used for MSG by Auxein Corporation ("glutamic acid") was changed to "L-glutamic acid."
Understanding how Ajinomoto Co., Inc., (the world's largest producer of the flavor enhancer known as "monosodium glutamate" and a leading manufacturer of free amino acids) operates (www.truthinlabeling.org/l-manuscript.html), it occurred to us that Auxein might approach the organic community for organic certification. Might approach? Ha!
By the time we became aware that the EPA had approved processed free glutamic acid (MSG) for use on crops, and had also approved the "growth enhancer" called AuxiGro, Auxein Corporation had approached OMRI to recommend AuxiGro for organic certification. At the same time, we were told that OMRI had approval of AuxiGro virtually assured. The appropriateness of technical advice given to the NOSB and the USDA by OMRI had gone virtually unchallenged.
OMRI publishes and disseminates generic and specific (brand name) lists of materials rated by OMRI as being allowed for use in the production, processing, and handling of organic food and fiber. Much of the organic industry looks to OMRI for interpretation of research pertaining to the safety and/or appropriateness of products for organic use. If a product is added to an OMRI list of materials rated by OMRI as being allowed for use in the production, processing, and handling of organic food and fiber, the producer is charged both an initial charge and a yearly fee for maintaining their product on OMRI's list. So if OMRI was able to convince the organic community to approve MSG and AuxiGro for use in organics, OMRI would receive both an initial fee and a yearly fee from Auxein. Thus, OMRI's income is dependent, at least in part, on the number of products it successfully recommends be allowed to use the label "organic." From 1999 to 2002, OMRI was pushing to add AuxiGro to its list of allowed substance, and to have the National Organic Program add processed free glutamic acid (MSG) and AuxiGro to the list of allowed substances on the National List.
* * *
Organic Fertilizers???
A product called AuxiGro, which contains processed free glutamic acid (MSG), is being actively used on potatoes, and has been sprayed on other crops (at first primarily to russet potatoes, but also to head lettuce, broccoli, strawberries, and apples) either at test cites or generally throughout the United States.
In California, as of June 13, 2002, AuxiGro was registered for use on tomatoes, almonds, grapes, onions, and all stone fruit including apricots, cherries, plums, nectarines, peaches, and prunes. When last asked, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation said they are not aware of any testing of AuxiGro for use on other crops. They also said that they did not have any proposals presently in house to register additional crops for AuxiGro. But they refused to send copies of test crop reports to the Truth in Labeling - even though such reports are supposed to be public record.
We also know that other products that contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG) are being used as fertilizers for organic crops. The two first brought to our attention because people reported reactions to vegetables that that had been fertilized with them were Steam Hydrolyzed Feather Meal and Omega Protein Refined/Hydrolyzed Fish Protein -- both of which contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG).
According to the Truth in Labeling Campaign's "Hidden Sources of MSG," MSG-containing ingredients found on the National List of Allowed Substances include:
- Citric - produced by microbial fermentation of carbohydrate substances - Carageenan - Cornstarch - Enzymes - Gums - Yeast autolysate - Brewers yeast - Nutritional yeast - Calcium Citrate
THE MSG PRODUCED IN FOOD PROCESSING AND CHEMICAL PLANTS IS ALWAYS SYNTHETIC
It is true that in its unadulterated, unprocessed, unfermented free form, L-glutamic acid can be a building block of protein, a neurotransmitter, a neurotoxic amino acid, and an endocrine disrupter. When produced for use in food, drugs, cosmetics, and agricultural applications, however, L-glutamic acid is not produced in isolation. It is always a synthetic product that contains undesired contaminants along with the desired L-glutamic acid. When produced by way of acid hydrolysis or the Maillard reaction, this processed product contains carcinogens. When produced through bacterial fermentation, the bacteria used to produce the bacteria that excrete glutamic acid through their cell walls are genetically modified using various procedures which can include irradiation.
Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine (FluMist)
We found the following discussion about FluMist on the Web page of Dr. Joseph Mercola. The article, itself, was written by By Dr. Sherri Tenpenny
http://www.mercola.com/2003/oct/4/flumist_vaccine.htm
Risks of FluMist Vaccine
By Dr. Sherri Tenpenny
"An even greater concern about FluMist is the contents within the vaccine. Each 0.5 ml of the formula contains 10 6.5-7.5 particles of live, attenuated influenza virus. That means that between 10 million and 100 million viral particles will be forcefully injected into the nostrils when administered. The viral strain was developed by serial passage through "specific pathogen-free primary chick kidney cells" and then grown in "specific pathogen-free eggs." That means that the culture media was free of pathogens that were specifically tested for, but not a culture that was necessarily "pathogen-free." The risk that the vaccine may contain contaminant avian retroviruses still remains. In addition, a stabilizing buffer containing potassium phosphate, sucrose (table sugar) and nearly 0.5 mg of monosodium glutamate (MSG) is added to each dose.
"One of the most troubling concerns over the injection of this "chemical soup" is the potential for the viruses to enter directly into the brain. At the top of the nasal passages is a paper-thin bone called the cribriform plate. The olfactory nerves pass through this bone and line the nasal passages, carrying messenger molecules to the brain that are identified as "smells" familiar to us. The olfactory tract has long been recognized as a direct pathway to the brain. Intranasal injection of certain viruses has resulted in a serious brain infection called encephalitis, presumably by direct infection of the olfactory neurons that carried the viruses to the brain. Time will tell whether the live viruses in FluMist will become linked to cases of encephalitis."
We also found two articles on additives in vaccines on Web pages of the U.S.Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We have taken excerpts from both of them:
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
Additives in Vaccines
Fact Sheet
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/gen/additives.htm
Common substances found in vaccines include:
-Aluminum gels or salts of aluminum which are added as adjuvants to help the vaccine stimulate production of antibodies to fight off diseases and aid other substances in their action. In vaccines, adjuvants may be added to help promote an earlier response, more potent response, or more persistent immune response to disease.
-Antibiotics which are added to vaccines to prevent the growth of germs (bacteria) in vaccine cultures.
-Egg protein which is found in vaccines prepared using chick embryos. Ordinarily, persons who are able to eat eggs or egg products safely can receive these vaccines.
-Formaldehyde which is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines. It is also used to kill unwanted viruses and bacteria that might be found in cultures used to produce vaccines.
-Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and 2-phenoxy-ethanol which are used as stabilizers in a few vaccines to help the vaccine remain unchanged even in the presence of forces such as heat, light, acidity, humidity etc. MSG is also found in many foods, especially Asian foods and flavor enhancers.
-Thimerosal which is a preservative that might be added to prevent the vaccine from spoiling. Thimerosal is also found in some contact lens solutions and throat sprays.
NATIONAL VACCINE PROGRAM OFFICE
Vaccine Fact Sheets
http://www.cdc.gov/od/nvpo/factsheets/fs_tableVI_doc1.htm
Additives Found in Vaccines
Additives used in the production of vaccines may include:
- Preservatives - such as thimerosal or 2-phenoxy ethanol, are added to slow or stop the growth of bacteria or fungi resulting from inadvertent contamination, especially as might occur with vaccine vials intended for multiple uses or doses.
- Stabilizers - such as lactose or monosodium glutamate (MSG), are added to stabilize the vaccine formulation against a variety of conditions, such as temperature variations or a freeze-drying process.
Note, also, that the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances lists glutamic acid as a toxin:
The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances Glutamic acid, monosodium salt, L - (+) -
RTECS #: MA1575000, CAS #: 142-47-2, can be found on the Web at
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/rtecs/ma180858.html
Editor's note: Articles published in and after the year 2000, such as the article by Ohguro et al. published in 2002, which attest to the toxic effects of monosodium glutamate, were not considered in the document cited above. Ohguro et al. found that rats fed 10 grams of sodium glutamate (97.5% sodium glutamate and 2.5% sodium ribonucleotide) added to a 100 gram daily diet for as little as 3 months had a significant increase in amount of glutamic acid in vitreous, had damage to the retina, and had deficits in retinal function. Ohguro et al. also documented the suspicion of many MSG-sensitive people that there is a cumulative effect to the damage caused by daily ingestion of MSG. (Ohguro, H., Katsushima, H., Maruyama, I., Maeda, T., Yanagihashi, S. Metoki, T., Nakazawa, M. A high dietary intake of sodium glutamate as flavoring (Ajinomoto) causes gross changes in retinal morphology and function. Experimental Eye Research 75:(3),2002). Source: http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Vaccines.html
Hidden Sources of MSG
The MSG-reaction is a reaction to free glutamic acid that occurs in food as a consequence of manufacture. MSG-sensitive people do not react to protein (which contains bound glutamic acid) or any of the minute amounts of free glutamic acid that might be found in unadulterated, unfermented, food.
These ALWAYS contain MSG
Glutamate
Glutamic acid
Gelatin
Monosodium glutamate
Calcium caseinate
Textured protein
Monopotassium glutamate
Sodium caseinate
Yeast nutrient
Yeast extract
Yeast food
Autolyzed yeast
Hydrolyzed protein
(any protein that is hydrolyzed)
Hydrolyzed corn gluten
Natrium glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium)
These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing
Carrageenan
Maltodextrin
Malt extract
Natural pork flavoring
Citric acid
Malt flavoring
Bouillon and Broth
Natural chicken flavoring
Soy protein isolate
Natural beef flavoring
Ultra-pasteurized
Soy sauce
Stock
Barley malt
Soy sauce extract
Whey protein concentrate
Pectin
Soy protein
Whey protein
Protease
Soy protein concentrate
Whey protein isolate
Protease enzymes
Anything protein fortified
Flavors(s) & Flavoring(s)
Anything enzyme modified
Anything fermented
Natural flavor(s)
& flavoring(s)
Enzymes anything
Seasonings
(the word "seasonings")
In ADDITION....
The new game is to label hydrolyzed proteins as "pea protein", "whey protein", "corn protein", etc. If a pea, for example, were whole, it would be identified as a pea. Calling an ingredient pea protein indicates that the pea has been hydrolyzed, at least in part, and that processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is present. Relatively new to the list are "wheat protein" and "soy protein".
Disodium guanylate and disodium inosinate are expensive food additives that work synergistically with inexpensive MSG. Their use suggests that the product has MSG in it. They would probably not be used as food additives if there were no MSG present.
MSG reactions have been reported to soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics, where MSG is hidden in ingredients that include the words "hydrolyzed," "amino acids," and "protein."
Low fat and no fat milk products often include milk solids that contain MSG.
Drinks, candy, and chewing gum are potential sources of hidden MSG and of aspartame and neotame. Aspartic acid, found in neotame and aspartame (NutraSweet), ordinarily causes MSG type reactions in MSG sensitive people. Aspartame is found in some medications, including children's medications. Neotame is relatively new and we have not yet seen it used widely. Check with your pharmacist.
Binders and fillers for medications, nutrients, and supplements, both prescription and non-prescription, enteral feeding materials, and some fluids administered intravenously in hospitals, may contain MSG.
According to the manufacturer, Varivax–Merck chicken pox vaccine (Varicella Virus Live), contains L-monosodium glutamate and hydrolyzed gelatin both of which contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG) which causes brain lesions in young laboratory animals, and causes endocrine disturbances like OBESITY and REPRODUCTIVE disorders later in life. It would appear that most, if not all, live virus vaccines contain MSG.
Reactions to MSG are dose related, i.e., some people react to even very small amounts. MSG-induced reactions may occur immediately after ingestion or after as much as 48 hours.
Note: There are additional ingredients that appear to cause MSG reactions in ACUTELY sensitive people. A list is available by request.
Remember: By FDA definition, all MSG is "naturally occurring." "Natural" doesn't mean "safe." "Natural" only means that the ingredient started out in nature.
Source: http://www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html
MSG is sometimes hidden in food with labels that say "No Added MSG," "No MSG Added," and "No MSG"
Placing "No MSG," "No MSG Added," or "No Added MSG" on food labels has been deemed by the FDA to be false and misleading under section (403)(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act when the label also lists any hydrolyzed protein as an ingredient since it contains MSG."(3) Thus, to advertise "No MSG," "No MSG Added," or "No Added MSG" when there is MSG in a product is illegal.
At one time, the FDA responded to the illegal use of the term "No MSG Added," with both a Regulatory Letter and threat of seizure and injunction in case of non-compliance. At one time, State Attorneys General sued manufacturers that made such claims, and won consent decrees from them, and sometimes imposed fines. But when the FDA began to look the other way, and the State Attorneys General turned their attention to other matters, the deceptive and misleading use of "No MSG" and No Added MSG" once more began proliferating.
Following the FDA's announcement in 1995 that "...FDA considers foods whose labels say "No MSG" or "No Added MSG" to be misleading if the food contains ingredients that are sources of free glutamates, such as hydrolyzed protein," the incidence of such misleading and deceptive labels regulated by the FDA began to decline. At the same time, similar labels regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) continued proliferating. At the USDA they don't simply fail to enforce the regulation. The USDA actually approves labels of meat and poultry products that claim "No MSG," "No MSG Added," or "No Added MSG" when they contain free glutamic acid.
If you write or call to ask whether or not there is MSG in a product...
If you want to find out if there is processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in a product, you must ask the manufacturer for information about "free glutamic acid." Don't ask about "MSG." Manufacturers find it convenient, when speaking to consumers, to tell them that there is no "MSG" in their product, meaning that there is no ingredient called "monosodium glutamate." Even if a manufacturer tells you there is no MSG in a product, there may be autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed pea protein, carrageenan, sodium caseinate, enzymes, and a whole slew of other ingredients that contain or create processed free glutamic acid (MSG) during manufacture.
If you are told that all of the MSG in a product is "naturally occurring," thank the manufacturer for that meaningless information, but explain that all processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is referred to as "natural" by the FDA -- so "natural" tells you nothing. In fact, as the word "natural" is defined by the FDA, the food ingredient "monosodium glutamate" is "natural."
It is the amount of processed free glutamic acid in the product that will determine whether or not you might suffer an MSG reaction.
If the manufacturer claims not to know whether or not there is processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in his or her product, ask that the product be analyzed for free amino acids, including free glutamic acid. There are tests for measuring free glutamic acid. The AOAC Official Methods of Analysis (1984) gives one method. There are others. The cost of testing should be no more than $100.
We have been advised by the FDA that if any such misbranded products are brought to their attention, they will act to correct the situation. To report misbranded products to the FDA, please call the FDA at 888-723-3366 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., eastern time - and keep a record of your call.
Submissions of illegal labeling from conscientious label readers:
(Examples include names of ingredients that sometimes or always contain or create MSG)
KcKay's Chicken Style Instant Broth and Seasoning
"NO MSG ADDED"
Autolyzed Yeast
(In addition, they use disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate -- expensive flavor potentiaters that work synergistically with processed free glutamic acid (MSG) -- and, we are told, are only cost effective when used with processed free glutamic acid (MSG))
Spice Bouquet Adobo seasoning
"No additives or MSG" Hydrolized Vegetable Protein
Lightlife Foods Smart Ground
"No MSG" Soy Protein Concentrate, Soy Sauce, Natural Flavors, Malt Extract, Wheat Starch
Lightlife Foods Tofu Pups
"NO MSG" Soy Protein Isolate, Yeast Extract, Carrageenan, Natural Smoke Flavor
Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom
"No MSG" Modified Food Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate, Maltodextrin, Flavoring (In addition, Campbell's used disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate - expensive flavor potentiaters that work synergistically with processed free glutamic acid (MSG) -- and, we are told, are only cost effective when used with processed free glutamic acid (MSG))
Lawry's Tenderizing Beef Marinade Spices & Seasonings
"No MSG Added" Modified Food Starch, Natural Flavoring
Simply Organic Macaroni & Cheese
"Our products DO NOT contain MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein..." Natural Flavors, Organic Autolyzed yeast extract
Geno's All-In-One Sauce
"No MSG" Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce (...hydrolyzed corn and soy protein...), Natural flavoring, Modified food starch
Cardini's Herb Poppy Seed Dressing (Low Fat)
"NO MSG ADDED" Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate, Natural Flavor
Simply Organic spicy chili
"Our products do not contain MSG..." Organic Autolyzed Yeast Extract
Modern Products All Natural Vege-Sal All Purpose Vegetized Seasoning Salt
"NO MSG ADDED" Soy Sauce, Hydrolized Vegetable Protein
Hain Pure Foods All Natural Chicken Broth
"No Added MSG" Chicken Broth, Chicken Base, Autolyzed Yeast Extract
Campbell's Healthy Request Minestrone
"Contains No MSG" Contains: Chicken stock, high fructose corn syrup, chicken flavor, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate, Flavoring (Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate are expensive additives that work synergistically with processed free glutamic acid (MSG). It would not be cost effective to use them if there were no processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in the product.)
Blue Diamond Almond Toppers
"No MSG" Nonfat milk solids, Cheese cultures, Enzymes, Maltodextrin, Enzyme modified parmesan cheese, Torula yeast, Natural flavor, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate
Farm House Parmesan Pasta (Distributed by General Mills Sales, Inc.)
"No MSG" Enzymes, Maltodextrin, Autolyzed yeast extract, Modified corn starch, Natural flavor
The following label violations(8) were observed in 1999 on or after April 1, 1999
(Examples include names of ingredients that sometimes or always contain or create MSG)
Briannas Home Style Blue Cheese Dressing
"NO MSG" Contains: Cheese culture, Enzymes, Vinegar, Buttermilk powder, Natural flavor, Citric acid
Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom
"No MSG" Contains: Modified food starch, Cornstarch, Whey protein concentrate, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate, Maltodextrin, Mushroom powder
Campbell's Healthy Request Chicken Broth
"No MSG" Contains: Chicken stock, Chicken flavor (dried chicken stock, gelatin, flavoring) Flavoring, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate
Campbell's Healthy Request Hearty Chicken Noodle
"No MSG" Contains: Chicken stock, Modified food starch, Maltodextrin, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate, Cultured whey, Modified food starch, Soy protein isolate, Chicken flavor
Campbell's Healthy Request Hearty Tomato Ravioli with Vegetables
"NO MSG" Contains: Carrageenan, Pasteurized part skim milk, Cheese cultures, Enzymes, Modified food starch, Enzyme modified butter, Cream powder, Nonfat dry milk, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate
Dominique's New England Clam Chowder (Distributed by: American marketing Team, Bloomfield, NJ)
"No MSG Added" Contains: Modified corn starch, Isolated soy protein, Clam broth concentrate, Yeast extract, Natural flavor
Franco-American SPACE GOOFS shaped Pasta with MEATBALLS in Tomato Sauce
"No MSG" Contains: Soy protein isolate, Enzyme modified cheddar cheese, Enzyme modified butter
Hain Pure Food All Natural Vegetable Broth
"No Added MSG" Contains: Autolyzed yeast extract
Herb ox very low sodium Instant Broth & Seasoning Chicken Bouillon with other natural flavors
"NO MSG ADDED" Contains: Maltodextrin, Monoammonian glutamate, Gelatin, Citric acid, Natural flavoring, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate
Naturade Fat-Free Vegetable Protein
"CONTAINS NO MSG" Contains: 4540 mg glutamic acid per serving
Newman's Own Ranch Dressing
"No MSG" Contains: Natural flavor, Yeast extract (Newman's has removed the "No MSG" claim from its label)
Tony Charchere's Lite Creole Seasoning
"NO MSG" Contains: Maltodextrin
I don't know about you but I am angry about this!
If I wanted tainted foods I would be shopping at the regular super markets and be oblivious to what the ingredients are on the labels. I was suspicious a few years back when all of a sudden there was this explosion of so-called organic, healthy, all-natural products filling our store shelves. All sorts of new companies were suddenly appearing and making various processed foods and calling them "natural", "organic", no this or that. Now even WalMart is supposedly getting in on the act, that too made me wonder if it was for real.
It's not for real, and we are being lied to and manipulated into believing that something is free of the chemicals when it isn't. I'm getting pretty sick and tired of the deception going on for the sake of making a buck. If the people who make the ingredient choices at these companies aren't concerned about what chemicals they add that's their choice, but don't manipulate and lie to the people so you can line your wallets with our money!
And if this nonsense about feeding us toxic substances and then turning around and developing a drug to counteract the effects of their chemical laden food doesn't make these people lose sleep at nights... well, then perhaps some irrate concerned consumers will help them change their ways. You can bet I will be going out there and opening a can of worms on this one, I've had it!
I'm NOT going to sit back and resign myself to the fact that stuff like that is ok to do to the people. I will NOT resign myself to the fact that everything is toxic so why bother, geez, that's like throwing the baby out with the bath water! Every single thing that we can do to reduce toxins DOES make a difference. It makes a difference in our well being, our children's well being, and the well being of the environment.
I'm also not the least bit interested in playing their juvenile games either. They think they're clever changing the names of these poisons and doing the 'word' thing. I'm not impressed, nor am I laughing. I WILL do everything in my power to spread the word on this subject and to put a stop to this type of manipulation. These are the people we elect, we pay their salaries, we set up these organizations to protect us, and these are the adults who not only set examples for our children but for all of us and our country... and we wonder "why" we're sick, obese, and why our country is a mess and gets worse by the minute, and these people are suppose to be representing our needs and us!?
I think it's time we start showing we care and get things back on the right track. I think it's also time that we stop making excuses and rationalizing stuff like this to the point of convincing and conditioning ourselves into believing it doesn't matter or that it will be ok some day, and accepting this kind of garbage. It's not right, and it's not even close to being acceptable!
I was talking to my sister about this last night. She's trying so hard to do all of the right things for her kids. Her kids even ask her if the food they're eating has bad chemicals in it. While we're on the phone, she's yanking food out of her freezer and cabinets, reading off the ingredients to me. I'm sitting here saying "yup", "nope". She's very angry too, and is wondering where she can go food shopping. She feels like she's just one little person in this big country of companies who don't give a hoot about anything other than their own profits for the quarter, that her one voice on this important matter won't even be heard.
She doesn't understand why these companies don't care about the food they're selling to the people, to the children, us people whose money pays for their bills and vacations. We discussed the corporation cycle... we buy the food, it makes us sick, they make new drugs to fight the symptoms of the diseases we get from the food we ate, we buy the medicine, we go to the hospitals for treatments because of these chemicals in our food, water and air and pay doctors who think they know how to fix us, and then we die. It's a vicious cycle, a cycle that most of us probably don't want to be in. And, it's all about, and is only about... money.
I told her, and I'm encouraging all of you who read this...PLEASE, just spread the word in any way you can and stop buying products that have these ingredients (above), turn the companies in who lie about the ingredients, talk to your store managers and let them know you know and that you care, put out press releases, do anything and everything you can... this is about the quality of our lives, it's about the quality of our children's lives and our grand children. If enough of us get together and yell, we WILL be heard and we WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! We do not have to put up with stuff like this!
Excerpts on MSG from Truth in Labeling (www.truthinlabeling.org)
Beware - "Organic" Doesn't Mean "No MSG"
"Autolyzed Yeast" and "Natural Flavoring" in organic products contain just as much processed free glutamic acid (MSG) as in conventional products
In the late 1990s, when the Truth in Labeling Campaign became aware that there was to be a National Organic Program run by the USDA, we were fearful that placing a national organic program with the USDA would almost certainly undermine the integrity of the organic industry. Our deep seated concern stemmed from our growing understanding of the tremendous pro-big business, consumer-be-dammed influences exerted over Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA staffs by the food and drug industries; and our growing understanding of FDA and USDA infrastructures that enabled revolving door policies whereby industry personnel rotated in and out of the FDA and USDA, and/or FDA and USDA employees took lucrative jobs in the food and/or drug industries after retiring from the FDA or USDA. (We would later learn that those same influences affected decisions made my the US. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)).
On August 8, 1997, Auxein Corporation made application to the EPA for registration of its pesticide product AuxiGro WP Plant Metabolic Primer (AuxiGro) containing the active ingredients GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) at 29.2 percent and processed free glutamic acid (MSG) (identified in the application as "glutamic acid" ) at 36.5 percent. Federal Register notices chronicling the application and approval of processed free glutamic acid (MSG) and AuxiGro are available on the Web via GPO Access, the Federal Register, through: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. Testing of AuxiGro was also approved in that year, and many of the test crops sprayed with AuxiGro were brought to market without giving notice to consumers.
On January, 7 1998, the EPA granted processed free glutamic acid (MSG) (identified as "glutamic acid") an exemption from establishment of a tolerance limit--meaning that there would be no limit to the amount of MSG residue from AuxiGro that could remain on a crop when brought to market. In that same month, AuxiGro was approved for use on a number of crops. Approval for use on all other crops came later. These approvals were not announced in the Federal Register.
On September 25, 1998, the name first used for MSG by Auxein Corporation ("glutamic acid") was changed to "L-glutamic acid."
Understanding how Ajinomoto Co., Inc., (the world's largest producer of the flavor enhancer known as "monosodium glutamate" and a leading manufacturer of free amino acids) operates (www.truthinlabeling.org/l-manuscript.html), it occurred to us that Auxein might approach the organic community for organic certification. Might approach? Ha!
By the time we became aware that the EPA had approved processed free glutamic acid (MSG) for use on crops, and had also approved the "growth enhancer" called AuxiGro, Auxein Corporation had approached OMRI to recommend AuxiGro for organic certification. At the same time, we were told that OMRI had approval of AuxiGro virtually assured. The appropriateness of technical advice given to the NOSB and the USDA by OMRI had gone virtually unchallenged.
OMRI publishes and disseminates generic and specific (brand name) lists of materials rated by OMRI as being allowed for use in the production, processing, and handling of organic food and fiber. Much of the organic industry looks to OMRI for interpretation of research pertaining to the safety and/or appropriateness of products for organic use. If a product is added to an OMRI list of materials rated by OMRI as being allowed for use in the production, processing, and handling of organic food and fiber, the producer is charged both an initial charge and a yearly fee for maintaining their product on OMRI's list. So if OMRI was able to convince the organic community to approve MSG and AuxiGro for use in organics, OMRI would receive both an initial fee and a yearly fee from Auxein. Thus, OMRI's income is dependent, at least in part, on the number of products it successfully recommends be allowed to use the label "organic." From 1999 to 2002, OMRI was pushing to add AuxiGro to its list of allowed substance, and to have the National Organic Program add processed free glutamic acid (MSG) and AuxiGro to the list of allowed substances on the National List.
* * *
Organic Fertilizers???
A product called AuxiGro, which contains processed free glutamic acid (MSG), is being actively used on potatoes, and has been sprayed on other crops (at first primarily to russet potatoes, but also to head lettuce, broccoli, strawberries, and apples) either at test cites or generally throughout the United States.
In California, as of June 13, 2002, AuxiGro was registered for use on tomatoes, almonds, grapes, onions, and all stone fruit including apricots, cherries, plums, nectarines, peaches, and prunes. When last asked, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation said they are not aware of any testing of AuxiGro for use on other crops. They also said that they did not have any proposals presently in house to register additional crops for AuxiGro. But they refused to send copies of test crop reports to the Truth in Labeling - even though such reports are supposed to be public record.
We also know that other products that contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG) are being used as fertilizers for organic crops. The two first brought to our attention because people reported reactions to vegetables that that had been fertilized with them were Steam Hydrolyzed Feather Meal and Omega Protein Refined/Hydrolyzed Fish Protein -- both of which contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG).
According to the Truth in Labeling Campaign's "Hidden Sources of MSG," MSG-containing ingredients found on the National List of Allowed Substances include:
- Citric - produced by microbial fermentation of carbohydrate substances - Carageenan - Cornstarch - Enzymes - Gums - Yeast autolysate - Brewers yeast - Nutritional yeast - Calcium Citrate
THE MSG PRODUCED IN FOOD PROCESSING AND CHEMICAL PLANTS IS ALWAYS SYNTHETIC
It is true that in its unadulterated, unprocessed, unfermented free form, L-glutamic acid can be a building block of protein, a neurotransmitter, a neurotoxic amino acid, and an endocrine disrupter. When produced for use in food, drugs, cosmetics, and agricultural applications, however, L-glutamic acid is not produced in isolation. It is always a synthetic product that contains undesired contaminants along with the desired L-glutamic acid. When produced by way of acid hydrolysis or the Maillard reaction, this processed product contains carcinogens. When produced through bacterial fermentation, the bacteria used to produce the bacteria that excrete glutamic acid through their cell walls are genetically modified using various procedures which can include irradiation.
Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine (FluMist)
We found the following discussion about FluMist on the Web page of Dr. Joseph Mercola. The article, itself, was written by By Dr. Sherri Tenpenny
http://www.mercola.com/2003/oct/4/flumist_vaccine.htm
Risks of FluMist Vaccine
By Dr. Sherri Tenpenny
"An even greater concern about FluMist is the contents within the vaccine. Each 0.5 ml of the formula contains 10 6.5-7.5 particles of live, attenuated influenza virus. That means that between 10 million and 100 million viral particles will be forcefully injected into the nostrils when administered. The viral strain was developed by serial passage through "specific pathogen-free primary chick kidney cells" and then grown in "specific pathogen-free eggs." That means that the culture media was free of pathogens that were specifically tested for, but not a culture that was necessarily "pathogen-free." The risk that the vaccine may contain contaminant avian retroviruses still remains. In addition, a stabilizing buffer containing potassium phosphate, sucrose (table sugar) and nearly 0.5 mg of monosodium glutamate (MSG) is added to each dose.
"One of the most troubling concerns over the injection of this "chemical soup" is the potential for the viruses to enter directly into the brain. At the top of the nasal passages is a paper-thin bone called the cribriform plate. The olfactory nerves pass through this bone and line the nasal passages, carrying messenger molecules to the brain that are identified as "smells" familiar to us. The olfactory tract has long been recognized as a direct pathway to the brain. Intranasal injection of certain viruses has resulted in a serious brain infection called encephalitis, presumably by direct infection of the olfactory neurons that carried the viruses to the brain. Time will tell whether the live viruses in FluMist will become linked to cases of encephalitis."
We also found two articles on additives in vaccines on Web pages of the U.S.Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We have taken excerpts from both of them:
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
Additives in Vaccines
Fact Sheet
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/gen/additives.htm
Common substances found in vaccines include:
-Aluminum gels or salts of aluminum which are added as adjuvants to help the vaccine stimulate production of antibodies to fight off diseases and aid other substances in their action. In vaccines, adjuvants may be added to help promote an earlier response, more potent response, or more persistent immune response to disease.
-Antibiotics which are added to vaccines to prevent the growth of germs (bacteria) in vaccine cultures.
-Egg protein which is found in vaccines prepared using chick embryos. Ordinarily, persons who are able to eat eggs or egg products safely can receive these vaccines.
-Formaldehyde which is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines. It is also used to kill unwanted viruses and bacteria that might be found in cultures used to produce vaccines.
-Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and 2-phenoxy-ethanol which are used as stabilizers in a few vaccines to help the vaccine remain unchanged even in the presence of forces such as heat, light, acidity, humidity etc. MSG is also found in many foods, especially Asian foods and flavor enhancers.
-Thimerosal which is a preservative that might be added to prevent the vaccine from spoiling. Thimerosal is also found in some contact lens solutions and throat sprays.
NATIONAL VACCINE PROGRAM OFFICE
Vaccine Fact Sheets
http://www.cdc.gov/od/nvpo/factsheets/fs_tableVI_doc1.htm
Additives Found in Vaccines
Additives used in the production of vaccines may include:
- Preservatives - such as thimerosal or 2-phenoxy ethanol, are added to slow or stop the growth of bacteria or fungi resulting from inadvertent contamination, especially as might occur with vaccine vials intended for multiple uses or doses.
- Stabilizers - such as lactose or monosodium glutamate (MSG), are added to stabilize the vaccine formulation against a variety of conditions, such as temperature variations or a freeze-drying process.
Note, also, that the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances lists glutamic acid as a toxin:
The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances Glutamic acid, monosodium salt, L - (+) -
RTECS #: MA1575000, CAS #: 142-47-2, can be found on the Web at
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/rtecs/ma180858.html
Editor's note: Articles published in and after the year 2000, such as the article by Ohguro et al. published in 2002, which attest to the toxic effects of monosodium glutamate, were not considered in the document cited above. Ohguro et al. found that rats fed 10 grams of sodium glutamate (97.5% sodium glutamate and 2.5% sodium ribonucleotide) added to a 100 gram daily diet for as little as 3 months had a significant increase in amount of glutamic acid in vitreous, had damage to the retina, and had deficits in retinal function. Ohguro et al. also documented the suspicion of many MSG-sensitive people that there is a cumulative effect to the damage caused by daily ingestion of MSG. (Ohguro, H., Katsushima, H., Maruyama, I., Maeda, T., Yanagihashi, S. Metoki, T., Nakazawa, M. A high dietary intake of sodium glutamate as flavoring (Ajinomoto) causes gross changes in retinal morphology and function. Experimental Eye Research 75:(3),2002). Source: http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Vaccines.html
Hidden Sources of MSG
The MSG-reaction is a reaction to free glutamic acid that occurs in food as a consequence of manufacture. MSG-sensitive people do not react to protein (which contains bound glutamic acid) or any of the minute amounts of free glutamic acid that might be found in unadulterated, unfermented, food.
These ALWAYS contain MSG
Glutamate
Glutamic acid
Gelatin
Monosodium glutamate
Calcium caseinate
Textured protein
Monopotassium glutamate
Sodium caseinate
Yeast nutrient
Yeast extract
Yeast food
Autolyzed yeast
Hydrolyzed protein
(any protein that is hydrolyzed)
Hydrolyzed corn gluten
Natrium glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium)
These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing
Carrageenan
Maltodextrin
Malt extract
Natural pork flavoring
Citric acid
Malt flavoring
Bouillon and Broth
Natural chicken flavoring
Soy protein isolate
Natural beef flavoring
Ultra-pasteurized
Soy sauce
Stock
Barley malt
Soy sauce extract
Whey protein concentrate
Pectin
Soy protein
Whey protein
Protease
Soy protein concentrate
Whey protein isolate
Protease enzymes
Anything protein fortified
Flavors(s) & Flavoring(s)
Anything enzyme modified
Anything fermented
Natural flavor(s)
& flavoring(s)
Enzymes anything
Seasonings
(the word "seasonings")
In ADDITION....
The new game is to label hydrolyzed proteins as "pea protein", "whey protein", "corn protein", etc. If a pea, for example, were whole, it would be identified as a pea. Calling an ingredient pea protein indicates that the pea has been hydrolyzed, at least in part, and that processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is present. Relatively new to the list are "wheat protein" and "soy protein".
Disodium guanylate and disodium inosinate are expensive food additives that work synergistically with inexpensive MSG. Their use suggests that the product has MSG in it. They would probably not be used as food additives if there were no MSG present.
MSG reactions have been reported to soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics, where MSG is hidden in ingredients that include the words "hydrolyzed," "amino acids," and "protein."
Low fat and no fat milk products often include milk solids that contain MSG.
Drinks, candy, and chewing gum are potential sources of hidden MSG and of aspartame and neotame. Aspartic acid, found in neotame and aspartame (NutraSweet), ordinarily causes MSG type reactions in MSG sensitive people. Aspartame is found in some medications, including children's medications. Neotame is relatively new and we have not yet seen it used widely. Check with your pharmacist.
Binders and fillers for medications, nutrients, and supplements, both prescription and non-prescription, enteral feeding materials, and some fluids administered intravenously in hospitals, may contain MSG.
According to the manufacturer, Varivax–Merck chicken pox vaccine (Varicella Virus Live), contains L-monosodium glutamate and hydrolyzed gelatin both of which contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG) which causes brain lesions in young laboratory animals, and causes endocrine disturbances like OBESITY and REPRODUCTIVE disorders later in life. It would appear that most, if not all, live virus vaccines contain MSG.
Reactions to MSG are dose related, i.e., some people react to even very small amounts. MSG-induced reactions may occur immediately after ingestion or after as much as 48 hours.
Note: There are additional ingredients that appear to cause MSG reactions in ACUTELY sensitive people. A list is available by request.
Remember: By FDA definition, all MSG is "naturally occurring." "Natural" doesn't mean "safe." "Natural" only means that the ingredient started out in nature.
Source: http://www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html
MSG is sometimes hidden in food with labels that say "No Added MSG," "No MSG Added," and "No MSG"
Placing "No MSG," "No MSG Added," or "No Added MSG" on food labels has been deemed by the FDA to be false and misleading under section (403)(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act when the label also lists any hydrolyzed protein as an ingredient since it contains MSG."(3) Thus, to advertise "No MSG," "No MSG Added," or "No Added MSG" when there is MSG in a product is illegal.
At one time, the FDA responded to the illegal use of the term "No MSG Added," with both a Regulatory Letter and threat of seizure and injunction in case of non-compliance. At one time, State Attorneys General sued manufacturers that made such claims, and won consent decrees from them, and sometimes imposed fines. But when the FDA began to look the other way, and the State Attorneys General turned their attention to other matters, the deceptive and misleading use of "No MSG" and No Added MSG" once more began proliferating.
Following the FDA's announcement in 1995 that "...FDA considers foods whose labels say "No MSG" or "No Added MSG" to be misleading if the food contains ingredients that are sources of free glutamates, such as hydrolyzed protein," the incidence of such misleading and deceptive labels regulated by the FDA began to decline. At the same time, similar labels regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) continued proliferating. At the USDA they don't simply fail to enforce the regulation. The USDA actually approves labels of meat and poultry products that claim "No MSG," "No MSG Added," or "No Added MSG" when they contain free glutamic acid.
If you write or call to ask whether or not there is MSG in a product...
If you want to find out if there is processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in a product, you must ask the manufacturer for information about "free glutamic acid." Don't ask about "MSG." Manufacturers find it convenient, when speaking to consumers, to tell them that there is no "MSG" in their product, meaning that there is no ingredient called "monosodium glutamate." Even if a manufacturer tells you there is no MSG in a product, there may be autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed pea protein, carrageenan, sodium caseinate, enzymes, and a whole slew of other ingredients that contain or create processed free glutamic acid (MSG) during manufacture.
If you are told that all of the MSG in a product is "naturally occurring," thank the manufacturer for that meaningless information, but explain that all processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is referred to as "natural" by the FDA -- so "natural" tells you nothing. In fact, as the word "natural" is defined by the FDA, the food ingredient "monosodium glutamate" is "natural."
It is the amount of processed free glutamic acid in the product that will determine whether or not you might suffer an MSG reaction.
If the manufacturer claims not to know whether or not there is processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in his or her product, ask that the product be analyzed for free amino acids, including free glutamic acid. There are tests for measuring free glutamic acid. The AOAC Official Methods of Analysis (1984) gives one method. There are others. The cost of testing should be no more than $100.
We have been advised by the FDA that if any such misbranded products are brought to their attention, they will act to correct the situation. To report misbranded products to the FDA, please call the FDA at 888-723-3366 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., eastern time - and keep a record of your call.
Submissions of illegal labeling from conscientious label readers:
(Examples include names of ingredients that sometimes or always contain or create MSG)
KcKay's Chicken Style Instant Broth and Seasoning
"NO MSG ADDED"
Autolyzed Yeast
(In addition, they use disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate -- expensive flavor potentiaters that work synergistically with processed free glutamic acid (MSG) -- and, we are told, are only cost effective when used with processed free glutamic acid (MSG))
Spice Bouquet Adobo seasoning
"No additives or MSG" Hydrolized Vegetable Protein
Lightlife Foods Smart Ground
"No MSG" Soy Protein Concentrate, Soy Sauce, Natural Flavors, Malt Extract, Wheat Starch
Lightlife Foods Tofu Pups
"NO MSG" Soy Protein Isolate, Yeast Extract, Carrageenan, Natural Smoke Flavor
Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom
"No MSG" Modified Food Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate, Maltodextrin, Flavoring (In addition, Campbell's used disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate - expensive flavor potentiaters that work synergistically with processed free glutamic acid (MSG) -- and, we are told, are only cost effective when used with processed free glutamic acid (MSG))
Lawry's Tenderizing Beef Marinade Spices & Seasonings
"No MSG Added" Modified Food Starch, Natural Flavoring
Simply Organic Macaroni & Cheese
"Our products DO NOT contain MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein..." Natural Flavors, Organic Autolyzed yeast extract
Geno's All-In-One Sauce
"No MSG" Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce (...hydrolyzed corn and soy protein...), Natural flavoring, Modified food starch
Cardini's Herb Poppy Seed Dressing (Low Fat)
"NO MSG ADDED" Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate, Natural Flavor
Simply Organic spicy chili
"Our products do not contain MSG..." Organic Autolyzed Yeast Extract
Modern Products All Natural Vege-Sal All Purpose Vegetized Seasoning Salt
"NO MSG ADDED" Soy Sauce, Hydrolized Vegetable Protein
Hain Pure Foods All Natural Chicken Broth
"No Added MSG" Chicken Broth, Chicken Base, Autolyzed Yeast Extract
Campbell's Healthy Request Minestrone
"Contains No MSG" Contains: Chicken stock, high fructose corn syrup, chicken flavor, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate, Flavoring (Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate are expensive additives that work synergistically with processed free glutamic acid (MSG). It would not be cost effective to use them if there were no processed free glutamic acid (MSG) in the product.)
Blue Diamond Almond Toppers
"No MSG" Nonfat milk solids, Cheese cultures, Enzymes, Maltodextrin, Enzyme modified parmesan cheese, Torula yeast, Natural flavor, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate
Farm House Parmesan Pasta (Distributed by General Mills Sales, Inc.)
"No MSG" Enzymes, Maltodextrin, Autolyzed yeast extract, Modified corn starch, Natural flavor
The following label violations(8) were observed in 1999 on or after April 1, 1999
(Examples include names of ingredients that sometimes or always contain or create MSG)
Briannas Home Style Blue Cheese Dressing
"NO MSG" Contains: Cheese culture, Enzymes, Vinegar, Buttermilk powder, Natural flavor, Citric acid
Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom
"No MSG" Contains: Modified food starch, Cornstarch, Whey protein concentrate, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate, Maltodextrin, Mushroom powder
Campbell's Healthy Request Chicken Broth
"No MSG" Contains: Chicken stock, Chicken flavor (dried chicken stock, gelatin, flavoring) Flavoring, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate
Campbell's Healthy Request Hearty Chicken Noodle
"No MSG" Contains: Chicken stock, Modified food starch, Maltodextrin, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate, Cultured whey, Modified food starch, Soy protein isolate, Chicken flavor
Campbell's Healthy Request Hearty Tomato Ravioli with Vegetables
"NO MSG" Contains: Carrageenan, Pasteurized part skim milk, Cheese cultures, Enzymes, Modified food starch, Enzyme modified butter, Cream powder, Nonfat dry milk, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate
Dominique's New England Clam Chowder (Distributed by: American marketing Team, Bloomfield, NJ)
"No MSG Added" Contains: Modified corn starch, Isolated soy protein, Clam broth concentrate, Yeast extract, Natural flavor
Franco-American SPACE GOOFS shaped Pasta with MEATBALLS in Tomato Sauce
"No MSG" Contains: Soy protein isolate, Enzyme modified cheddar cheese, Enzyme modified butter
Hain Pure Food All Natural Vegetable Broth
"No Added MSG" Contains: Autolyzed yeast extract
Herb ox very low sodium Instant Broth & Seasoning Chicken Bouillon with other natural flavors
"NO MSG ADDED" Contains: Maltodextrin, Monoammonian glutamate, Gelatin, Citric acid, Natural flavoring, Disodium inosinate, Disodium guanylate
Naturade Fat-Free Vegetable Protein
"CONTAINS NO MSG" Contains: 4540 mg glutamic acid per serving
Newman's Own Ranch Dressing
"No MSG" Contains: Natural flavor, Yeast extract (Newman's has removed the "No MSG" claim from its label)
Tony Charchere's Lite Creole Seasoning
"NO MSG" Contains: Maltodextrin
I don't know about you but I am angry about this!
If I wanted tainted foods I would be shopping at the regular super markets and be oblivious to what the ingredients are on the labels. I was suspicious a few years back when all of a sudden there was this explosion of so-called organic, healthy, all-natural products filling our store shelves. All sorts of new companies were suddenly appearing and making various processed foods and calling them "natural", "organic", no this or that. Now even WalMart is supposedly getting in on the act, that too made me wonder if it was for real.
It's not for real, and we are being lied to and manipulated into believing that something is free of the chemicals when it isn't. I'm getting pretty sick and tired of the deception going on for the sake of making a buck. If the people who make the ingredient choices at these companies aren't concerned about what chemicals they add that's their choice, but don't manipulate and lie to the people so you can line your wallets with our money!
And if this nonsense about feeding us toxic substances and then turning around and developing a drug to counteract the effects of their chemical laden food doesn't make these people lose sleep at nights... well, then perhaps some irrate concerned consumers will help them change their ways. You can bet I will be going out there and opening a can of worms on this one, I've had it!
I'm NOT going to sit back and resign myself to the fact that stuff like that is ok to do to the people. I will NOT resign myself to the fact that everything is toxic so why bother, geez, that's like throwing the baby out with the bath water! Every single thing that we can do to reduce toxins DOES make a difference. It makes a difference in our well being, our children's well being, and the well being of the environment.
I'm also not the least bit interested in playing their juvenile games either. They think they're clever changing the names of these poisons and doing the 'word' thing. I'm not impressed, nor am I laughing. I WILL do everything in my power to spread the word on this subject and to put a stop to this type of manipulation. These are the people we elect, we pay their salaries, we set up these organizations to protect us, and these are the adults who not only set examples for our children but for all of us and our country... and we wonder "why" we're sick, obese, and why our country is a mess and gets worse by the minute, and these people are suppose to be representing our needs and us!?
I think it's time we start showing we care and get things back on the right track. I think it's also time that we stop making excuses and rationalizing stuff like this to the point of convincing and conditioning ourselves into believing it doesn't matter or that it will be ok some day, and accepting this kind of garbage. It's not right, and it's not even close to being acceptable!
I was talking to my sister about this last night. She's trying so hard to do all of the right things for her kids. Her kids even ask her if the food they're eating has bad chemicals in it. While we're on the phone, she's yanking food out of her freezer and cabinets, reading off the ingredients to me. I'm sitting here saying "yup", "nope". She's very angry too, and is wondering where she can go food shopping. She feels like she's just one little person in this big country of companies who don't give a hoot about anything other than their own profits for the quarter, that her one voice on this important matter won't even be heard.
She doesn't understand why these companies don't care about the food they're selling to the people, to the children, us people whose money pays for their bills and vacations. We discussed the corporation cycle... we buy the food, it makes us sick, they make new drugs to fight the symptoms of the diseases we get from the food we ate, we buy the medicine, we go to the hospitals for treatments because of these chemicals in our food, water and air and pay doctors who think they know how to fix us, and then we die. It's a vicious cycle, a cycle that most of us probably don't want to be in. And, it's all about, and is only about... money.
I told her, and I'm encouraging all of you who read this...PLEASE, just spread the word in any way you can and stop buying products that have these ingredients (above), turn the companies in who lie about the ingredients, talk to your store managers and let them know you know and that you care, put out press releases, do anything and everything you can... this is about the quality of our lives, it's about the quality of our children's lives and our grand children. If enough of us get together and yell, we WILL be heard and we WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! We do not have to put up with stuff like this!
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