Category Archives: environment


grounding

Top Six Health Benefits Of Grounding

What is grounding?

Grounding, also known as earthing, is a simple yet powerful practice of connecting with the Earth's surface, primarily through our bare feet or skin. Our modern lifestyles have led to more of a disconnect from the natural world. We are, surrounded by concrete jungles and walking around in insulated footwear. All of which separates us from the earth. Millions of years ago our ancestors were more connected to the Earth's electromagnetic field because they didn’t have these things.

The science of grounding

Recent research is revealing more information that supports the science behind this ancient practice. 

In simplistic terms, the earth can be viewed as a battery which has a negative electrical charge. When we ground ourselves, by exposure through non-insulated skin, with the earth, this helps to stabilize your system.  You can ground most effectively by having bare skin on dirt or grass, or through the use of grounding or earthing devices.  As you engage in this energy transfer process there are a number of health benefits:

  1. Reduced Stress: Stress is considered a regular part of modern life. But when you have too much stress, or chronic levels, it’s not healthy.  Grounding has been shown to help reduce cortisol levels which can support relaxation. This may, in turn, help with emotional balance.
  2. Reduced Inflammation: Grounding has been shown to neutralize free radicals and lower pro-inflammatory cytokines which can in turn help reduce inflammation.  Often reducing inflammation can also help to decrease chronic pain. 
  3. Better Quality Sleep: Many people share that when they regularly engage in a grounding practice they notice an improvement in sleep. One study found people who slept grounded (using an earthing mat) had more balanced cortisol levels and synchronicity with a 24-hour circadian rhythm.
  4. Improved Immunity: The more balance your immune system is the faster you can heal from trauma or injury.  Studies seem to indicate that after trauma participants who were grounded had a faster recovery time with less pain and inflammation. 
  5. Improved Circulation: How well your blood circulates is an important measure for overall wellness by optimizing nutrient and oxygen delivery to your cells. Studies showed improved circulation after a grounding session and suggested that it might be a helpful health practice for those struggling with cardiovascular disease or diabetes.  
  6. Increased Energy: Grounding is supportive and rejuvenating. It has been reported that people who regularly engage in a grounding practice feel more energetic.  It’s like a therapeutic rejuvenation. 

How to add grounding to your lifegrounding

Thankfully, grounding is an accessible and easy practice that can be incorporated into our daily routines:

  • Go Barefoot: Whenever possible, kick off your shoes. It’s wonderful to take a leisurely walk, or even just stand still and wiggle your toes, while standing on natural surfaces such as grass, sand, or soil. It’s even better if they’re damp. 
  • Earthing Mats: Try using a ground mat or grounding sheets.  These can be placed on a bed or draped over a chair while working at your desk.  This can help you stay grounded while you’re indoors. It’s also a good option to help with grounding for inclement weather. 
  • Gardening: Engaging in gardening activities. This gets your hands in the dirt and provides a perfect way for you to connect with the Earth and its healing energy.  Don’t have a garden?  Houseplants count too!
  • Hug a Tree: Trees are wonderful and a great way to connect with the earth.  They’re so deeply connected through their roots that hugging a tree, or even justs sitting under one and leaning against it can be beneficial. 
  • Beach Time: Spending time at the shore offers both the calming effects of being by a body of water.  And you can walk on the shore or in the water to connect with the earth. 
  • Read: I highly recommend the book Earthing by Clint Ober. This is the book that introduced me to the concept of this practice. 

In summary

As we navigate the modern world with its technological marvels, let’s not forget the how amazing it can be to incorporate the healing power of nature, especially the practice of grounding. When you reconnect with the Earth's energy, you can experience so many benefits including less stress and an improved immune system.  

Take time every day to connect with nature! 

Sources

Koniver, Laura. "Practical Applications Of Grounding To Support Health". Biomedical Journal, vol 46, no. 1, 2023, pp. 41-47. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.bj.2022.12.001. 

Menigoz, Wendy et al. "Integrative And Lifestyle Medicine Strategies Should Include Earthing (Grounding): Review Of Research Evidence And Clinical Observations". EXPLORE, vol 16, no. 3, 2020, pp. 152-160. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005. 

Sinatra, Stephen T., at al. Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding (Earthing). ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, SEP/OCT 2017 VOL. 23 NO. 5. 

Yum, Byeong et al. "Effect Of Earthing Mat On The Quality Of Sleep". 2020, https://www.e-jehs.org/journal/view.html?pn=&uid=1957&vmd=Full.

 

Climate Change on Your Food

The Impact Of Climate Change On Your Food

Climate change is a topic that frequently makes headlines, primarily focusing on its environmental and weather-related consequences. However, one aspect that deserves more attention is how climate change affects the food we consume. In this blog post, we'll explore the profound repercussions of climate change on the food we eat, with a particular focus on the role of processed foods in exacerbating these challenges.

Climate Change disrupts agriculture in several ways, primarily through extreme weather events like prolonged droughts, devastating floods, heightened fire risks, and temperature fluctuations. These changes directly impact crops, potentially reducing the availability of fresh, nutrient-rich foods.

The Dark Side of Ultra-Processed Foods

The majority of primary ingredients in ultra-processed foods, such as corn, are derived from monoculture farming, where the same crop is repeatedly cultivated in the same area. Coupled with excessive water consumption and the heavy use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers like glyphosate, these practices contribute to soil erosion, water pollution, and the loss of biodiversity. Additionally, the carbon footprint of these processed foods, due to extensive transportation, further intensifies their environmental impact.

Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply

Climate change can affect agriculture and the food supply in three critical ways. First, changes in agricultural productivity may demand increased irrigation due to a warmer growing season. Second, climate-induced heavy precipitation can lead to soil erosion, affecting soil and water resources. Lastly, climate change poses health challenges for agricultural workers and livestock, including exposure to extreme weather, pesticides, and deteriorating air quality.

Health Implications of Processed Foods

Processed foods are not just detrimental to the environment but also to our health. Artificial additives, unhealthy fats, and refined sugars found in these foods have been linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Thus, the consequences of consuming processed foods extend beyond our plates and directly affect our well-being.

Cultivated meat has been hailed as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional livestock farming. However, recent research suggests that its global warming potential could be four to 25 times greater than that of retail beef. As we explore this emerging food source, it's essential to consider its environmental impact and its implications for our health.

A Call for Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture

To mitigate the impact of climate change on our food supply, we must prioritize sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. These approaches focus on enhancing soil health, promoting environmental equilibrium, and supporting local farmers. By choosing organic or sustainably produced foods and advocating for biodiversity across all sectors of our environment, we can contribute to a more sustainable food system.

Conclusion

Understanding the impact of climate change on our food is essential for both our health and the health of our planet. By making informed choices, supporting sustainable practices, and demanding transparency from food producers, we can help create a better future for ourselves, future generations, and the entire ecosystem. Climate change is a global challenge that requires individual and collective action – let's start by transforming our relationship with food for the better.

In addition to the information above, I highly recommend watching this informative video interview with Dr. Ben Orlove. Dr. Orlove is an expert in the field of climate change and its effects on food systems. In this interview Ben and I cover a wide range of topics from deforestation to high impact foods, water usage, composting and more. 

resources to reduce footprint

Resources To Reduce Your Ecological Footprint

Bioplastics may seem like an alternative to reduce plastic pollution. They are being touted as the best replacement because it is supposed to break down.  However, it turns out that many bioplastics are made with GMO corn. Since I try to avoid GMO foods it bothers me that this product is still finding its way into the environment.  

Some bio-degradable plastics have a mystery ingredient that helps them to break down faster.  Researching it on the internet I come up with the information that that chemical is “proprietary” and so does not need to be shared with the general public.  Other information states that it may “leave some toxic residue but the environmental impact is lessened.”  This, again, is not something that I want touching my food or in our environmentl.

Resources 

These are products which will help me continue to reduce my environmental impact; something I consider to be an important part of the balance to a holistic life.

Grocery Bagresources to reduce footprint

Bring reusable grocery bags!  One of my challenges these days is to not use the thin plastic bags that the grocery store gives out in the produce section. Here’s a great video on making produce bags from old t-shirts

Glass & Stainless Steel Straws

Plastic straws are definitely not a good choice for the environment; it turns out that Americans use as much as 500 million straws per day!  That’s a lot of plastic waste that’s not breaking down, getting into the environment, and possibly harming wildlife. To avoid plastic straws you can purchase reusable straws that are easy to wash and use again over and over.  There are a number companies making these straws in either glass, metal, or silicone.  The glass straws are available from a company called Strawsome.

Bring Your Own Takeout Container

When it comes to dining out there are a lot of companies who use styrofoam or plastic containers.  Definitely not an eco-friendly option. Other companies offer cardboard or recycled cardboard containers. While these are definitely a better option than plastic or styrofoam, they’re still single use containers and environmentally still have a higher impact.

A better option is to bring your own container from home. While it does take time and attention to remember to bring your own container this is a big win for the environment as you can wash and re-use your container over and over. Plus it’s one less disposable container winding up in the landfill. 

Cloth Napkins, Sandwich Bags

We do use cloth napkins in our house.  Not 100% of the time. When I have a party I confess I buy paper because I just don't have that many cloth napkins.  But on a daily basis it's cloth and we have a good size, mismatched collection.  

When talking about the idea of reusable sandwich bags I came across only one resource for food-safe plastic fabric.  If you decide to make your own reusable sandwich bags please do not use PUL or oilcloth, neither of those is acceptable for food contact.  

When it comes to wrapping sandwiches, or even covering foods in a container, one of the best options, instead of plastic wrap, is to use beeswrap. These are cloths that have been treated with beeswax in order to make a pliable, re-usable wrap. Although they are somewhat expensive at the grocery store, they’re actually quite easy to make at home using this DIY Beeswrap Kit (note: this kit includes a specially blended mix of beeswax, pine resin, jojoba, and coconut oil for a flexible, reusable food wrap, you simply add your own fabric).  

Gums

If you chew gum did you know that chances are you’re actually eating plastic? Yuck! That’s because most chewing gums are made with polyvinyl acetate.  Apparently, the only brand of gum currently available that is 100% chicle and plastic-free is my favorite Glee gum. According to their website Glee gum is: plastic free and has no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives.  It’s also aspartame-free (it’s made with xylitol) as well as non-GMO and vegan. There’s not even any plastic in their packaging because they use cardboard.

One step at a time

When it comes to making these kinds of eco-friendy choices it can seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to do it all at the same time.  When I’m working with clients I encourage them to remember that we make sustainable change by working on new habits one step at a time. If you try to change everything at once it's too much.  You are trying to remember and be consistent about too many things.  You are not learning and setting those new habits.  

Take me for example…while I may forget from time to time to put my bags back into the car I do use them the vast majority of the time.  I've also gotten very good about telling cashiers that I do not need a bag if I am only purchasing a few products and can easily carry them when I've forgotten my bags.  That was my first big eco-friendly step.  Little by little I added others.  You can do the same.  

Pick one thing that is important to you.  Practice and develop that habit.  When you are comfortable that you are utilizing it the majority of the time, move on to another one.  Slow and steady is the way to make effective, long-lasting, positive change.

 

There's so much plastic in our environment that we often don't even see it. It's become part of the background.

Read on to learn more about BPA, where it hides, and some strategies for supporting your health amidst the sea of plastic that surrounds us.

Sources

"No One Knew How Many Plastic Straws Americans Use Every Day. Then A 9-Year-Old Kid Did The Math". Money, 2022, https://money.com/how-many-plastic-straws-used-every-day/.

Terry, Beth. "Chewing On Plastic? Yum! » My Plastic-Free Life". My Plastic-Free Life, 2010, https://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/01/chewing-on-plastic-yum/

 

The Dirty Truth About Toilet Paper: Eco-Friendly Alternatives

The United States leads the world in toilet paper consumption. We go through something on the order of 36 billion rolls of toilet paper! Creating that much TP requires:

  • Approximately 473,587,500,000 gallons of water
  • 253,000 tons of chlorine 
  • More than 17 terawatts of electricity

That doesn’t even address how much of an impact the packaging and transportation are. And all of that TP, with all of its associated costs and environmental impact, gets flushed down the loo to be processed in a waste management plant.  

Environmental impact of using toilet paper

Toilet paper is cheap and convenient but it costs planet earth a great deal. That’s why I’m sharing what you really need to know about the environmental impact of using TP. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to it. I’m not suggesting we go back to rags, or worse yet, leaves, but there is a way to use less TP that’s good for you and the environment.  Let’s start by examining the issues:

1.Forest Degradation

According to my research 27,000 trees are destroyed daily just to make toilet paper.  That would be mature trees that have some height to them and which doubtless produce a fair amount of oxygen and habitat.  We need our trees, anything that helps more of them avoid being pulped into paper is a good thing. 

2. The carbon footprint of toilet paper made from virgin pulp

Speaking of pulp, next are all the chemicals required to take a tree and turn it into the fibers used to make the actual paper. 

Creating TP using 100 percent virgin fiber generates three times as much carbon as products made from other types of pulp.

4. The process of cleaning and preparing pulp requires lots and lots of water

It takes 12 or more gallons of water to go through the process needed to make just one roll of toilet paper.  That 32 roll super pack? That’s the equivalent of 364 gallons of water.  Sure you’re using a little extra water when you wash before you wipe if you’re using a bidet, but I’m pretty sure it’s not 12 gallons worth.

5. Chlorine is used to bleach the pulp and turn it white

And the not so lovely finish is what it takes to make our toilet paper look white. Bleach derivatives, and in some cases formaldehyde (used to make the toilet paper stronger when exposed to water). 

Recycled paper products typically use far less toxic bleaching methods, such as processed chlorine free (PCF) This bleaching process totally avoids chlorine, instead of using oxygen, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide. However these chemicals are still added to the paper that you’re using to wipe your sensitive parts.  

How can you help? 

Use sustainable toilet paper and get a bidet!

Recycled Toilet Paper

There are several brands of toilet paper, like Green Forest, 365 Everyday Value, Earth First, Natural Value, Seventh Generation and Tender Joe’s Bath Tissue that have minimal impact on forests. The six brands mentioned below use recycled waste paper to make toilet paper and do not use chlorine to bleach pulp.

Source: Skene J, with significant contributions from Vinyard, S. THE ISSUE WITH TISSUE: HOW AMERICANS ARE FLUSHING FORESTS DOWN THE TOILET. https://www.nrdc.org/. Published February 2019. 

Bidet

It turns out that if we all switch to using a bidet, we could save 15 million trees plus hundreds of millions of gallons of water.  That’s why after hearing Miki Agrawal talk at the Mindshare conference I decided to give the whole Hello Tushy bidet thing a try. 

She promises that it’s easy to put together and can be attached to almost any toilet. After playing a weird solo version of toilet twister in my itty-bitty toilet space it turns out that she’s right. All it takes is a screwdriver and following the directions. Plus, it works great! Now I’m wondering why I didn’t get one sooner.

Top three benefits of using a bidet

Here in the US, we don’t tend to use bidets, but I think that’s about to change. Especially if there’s less and less tissue in each package.

Here are just a few of the top benefits of using a bidet:

  • Cleaner: Because you’re rinsing the area before wiping, it’s cleaner and there’s less bacteria when you wipe
  • Less tissue: By cleaning first, you use less TP.  One resource I saw claimed that you could use up to 75% less toilet paper
  • Eco-friendly: Less TP use means less trees being cut down to make it and less water used to create it

Cleaner, saves money, and environmentally friendly. That sounds like a triple win in my book!

I swear the more I research this stuff to answer your questions the happier I am that I purchased a HelloTushy for my home.

Join me and help reduce the impact on the environment.

Sources

 

Miki Agrawal - -https://mikiagrawal.com

Armstrong M. Infographic: The U.S. Leads the World in Toilet Paper Consumption. Statista Infographics. Published October 5, 2018. https://www.statista.com/chart/15676/cmo-toilet-paper-consumption/

Bidets Save 15 Million Trees Annually—So Are We Using Them? - Rinseworks".Rinseworks, 2015,https://rinseworks.com/new/bidets-can-save-15-million-trees-annually/. Accessed 20 Oct 2021."Guidance On New PFAS Reporting Rule For Manufacturers".Green Science Policy Institute, 2021, https://greensciencepolicy.org/news-events/blog/guidance-on-new-pfas-reporting-rule-for-manufacturers. 

‌Business PK CNN. Your toilet paper roll is slimming down. CNN. Accessed March 30, 2022. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/08/business/toilet-paper-roll-shrinking-inflation/index.html

‌Skene J, with significant contributions from Vinyard, S. THE ISSUE WITH TISSUE: HOW AMERICANS ARE FLUSHING FORESTS DOWN THE TOILET. https://www.nrdc.org/. Published February 2019. https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/issue-tissue-how-americans-are-flushing-forests-down-toilet-report.pdf

 

Wildfire Smoke: Tips To Stay Healthy

This is a guest post from my friend and colleague Coleen Walsh, a Master Nutrition Therapist who specializes in MTHFR methylation issues and health. She lives in an area that is experiencing poor air quality due to the fires.  Which prompted her to write this article that’s she is generously sharing here. 


Wildfires are raging and the resulting smoke and ash have been a major issue lately. It’s impacting air quality and causing significant health issues for many people. Right now it is especially problematic for those living in the western United States. It's also an issue in other areas of the world such as Macedonia, Turkey, and Greece. 

The wildfire smoke traveling from both near and far away leaves us with microscopic particles, called fine particulate matter or PM (PM 2.5 is 2.5 microns or smaller). These particles can penetrate deep into your respiratory system and lungs. They can then move into your bloodstream potentially affecting the heart.  Additionally, they can activate the inflammatory pathways in your body. That, in turn, can do a lot of damage such as an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, or lung disease(s) among other issues. 

I’ve collected some resources and tips providing holistic support for those affected or those who have family members that may be dealing with this issue. Please take care! The air from these wildfires is very dangerous stuff for everyone - not just the immune-compromised. 

 

Essential Oils and Tinctures

Protecting your lungs and airways from damaging smoke is helpful to reduce wheezing, coughing, sore throat, headaches, and other allergic responses. It can also prevent secondary infections, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and overall depressed immune function. 

For basic support, you can get ready-made teas, lung defense, or herbal tinctures such as Wish Garden Deep Lung at most natural food stores. 

Essential oils such as Breathe Easy or Eucalyptus are also helpful. 

 

Nutrition Support

When it comes to nutrition support there are a lot of wonderful foods to add to your diet.  They're not only delicious and nourishing, they also provide immune-boosting benefits. 

  • eat lots of greens
  • get lots of fresh veggies (include plenty of garlic, ginger, and cruciferous vegetables such as  broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus)
  • Add sprouts, especially broccoli sprouts can be a nourishing choice
  • choose fresh fruit (be mindful and choose organic for the dirty dozen fruits and vegetables)
  • drink fresh green juices (my favorite is any leafy greens with ginger, coconut water, and cucumber) 
  • don’t forget to stay well-hydrated; filtered water will be supportive. 

In addition to knowing what to eat it’s helpful to also remember what not to eat. 

  • avoid inflammatory foods like sugar, gluten, processed and fast foods, dairy, and alcohol 
  • stay away from higher histamine foods such as tomatoes, fish, processed & smoked meats, leftovers, red wine, chocolate, fermented foods, and dairy 

Avoiding inflammatory and high histamine foods for at least a few days after the smoke clears will give your body the energy to heal. It will also help to reduce the overall burden on your body. 

 

Teas For Lung Support 

Teas are a great way to add support without taking a bunch of supplements.  I am a fan of Traditional Medicinals brand as they tend to be available almost everywhere. 

One thing I like to do is mix a few different teas and brew them in one extra-large jar. After it’s steeped for a bit you can pop the jar into the fridge and then drink 1-3 cups throughout the day. 

Some of my favorites include: 

  • Tulsi teas are great for stress
  • Dandelion and milk thistle are good for liver support to help process toxins (they tend to be a little bitter so it’s nice to mix them with other teas)
  • Echinacea, elderberry, Throat Coat, and Breathe Easy are for lung support and for general immune support
  • Peppermint, nettle leaf, ginger, green tea blends, and turmeric or curcumin mixes are great to increase your antioxidants, help with allergies, and decrease inflammation. 

 

Supplements 

It can be helpful to consider adding supportive supplements. A number of them are specifically supportive for lung health and smoke support.  You can get these supplements through my virtual dispensary.  I encourage you to work with a nutrition professional to make sure you are getting supplements that do not have negative additives in them. 

  • N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) which has so much research on smoke and general lung damage
  • quercetin
  • glutathione
  • curcumin
  • proteolytic enzymes
  • XClear nasal spray
  • antioxidants

 

Wildfire Smoke Defense Formula

This is an herbal tea recipe which an herbalist friend from The ACORN School of Herbal Medicine shared with me:

  • 4 parts Marshmallow root
  • 2 parts Red Clover
  • 1 part each Elderberry, Rosehips, Hawthorn berry, and Orange peel
  • ½ part each, Mullein and Monarda or Thyme
  1. Decoct 1:6 for 30 mins. (ie: simmer 1 part herb blend in 6  parts water for 30 mins). If your part is one cup. The recipe yields about one quart of tea.
  2. Strain. Store in a sealed container to keep warm, or let cool and store in the fridge.
  3. Add honey to taste, if desired
  4. Dose: 4- 8oz  3x/ day 

The main strategy for defense in this formula is a combination of demulcent, alternative, and flavonoid-containing herbs. Demulcents moisten and soothe mucous membranes by providing a slimy coat of protection between your tissues and smoke-filled air. 

Due to the alternative herbs, this formula has an affinity for the lungs and the lymph. They help promote the cleanup of accumulated wastes, both foreign and metabolic. The addition of flavonoids here is specific for increasing lung capacity, enhanced oxygenation of the blood, and stimulating rehabilitation of respiratory tissues. This combination also has a powerful effect on enhancing overall immune function.

The herbs in this formula were also chosen for their effects on stress relief as they uplift the spirits and promote feelings of strength, joy, and well-being.

Take care of you. A cup of tea can work miracles.


Resources:

"The Fifth Season: Herbs For Wildfire Season". Ancestral Apothecary, 2018, https://ancestralapothecaryschool.com/2018/10/10/the-fifth-season-herbs-for-wildfire-season/.

"Wildfire Smoke Takes Over Metro Vancouver: 7 Helpful Tips To Keep You Going - Integrative Naturopathic". Integrative Naturopathic, 2021, https://integrative.ca/blog/wildfire-smoke-vancouver-tips. 

Chris Kresser, M.S. "Wildfires And Air Quality: Steps You Can Take | Chris Kresser". Chris Kresser, 2017, https://chriskresser.com/wildfires-and-air-quality-steps-you-can-take/. Accessed 9 Aug 2021.

Elisa Song, Fire Resources – Facebook, August 23, 2020  - https://www.facebook.com/573039357/posts/10160262279729358/?d=n

Reid, Colleen E. et al. "Critical Review Of Health Impacts Of Wildfire Smoke Exposure". Environmental Health Perspectives, vol 124, no. 9, 2016, pp. 1334-1343. Environmental Health Perspectives, doi:10.1289/ehp.1409277.

Reid, Colleen E., and Melissa May Maestas. "Wildfire Smoke Exposure Under Climate Change". Current Opinion In Pulmonary Medicine, vol 25, no. 2, 2019, pp. 179-187. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), doi:10.1097/mcp.0000000000000552

Trudy Scott Antianxiety Food Solution -u Forest Fires, Burning Factories/Warehouses, or Traffic Pollution – Facebook,  July 14, 2021 - https://www.facebook.com/437308682999793/posts/4286060141457942/?d=n

Earth Day Every Day – 10 Ways To Celebrate

Happy Earth Day!

The start of Earth Day

This annual event, celebrated on April 22 around the world, is a holiday that focuses on the environment. It's meant to raise awareness of and appreciation for this beautiful planet that we live on.

First started in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson (WI-D), the event was created after a 1969 oil spill near Santa Barbara, CA. That first Earth Day celebration was a tipping point, bringing together people of all backgrounds, political affiliations, and across all socio-economic strata who were concerned about the environment and wanted to effect change. That first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, saw demonstrations all across the country with 20 million people gathered to protest the harmful things being done to the environment.

CBS News had a special presentation with Walter Cronkite, Gaylord Nelson, and more.

Earth Day 1970 CBS Special

1970 also saw the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Clean AirClean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. 

The growth of Earth Day

The Earth Day movement continued to spread. In 1990 it leaped onto the global stage. That year there were 200 million people in 141 countries protesting on behalf of the environment. Around this time there was also a big push towards global recycling efforts. And in 1992 there was the first United Nations Conference on the Environment and Diversity in Rio De Janeiro. 

From there the movement grew and is now considered to be one of the largest secular observances around the world. Billions of people participate in a variety of ways from environmental cleanup efforts, to planting trees, to promoting activism on behalf of the environment.

Celebrating Earth Day

There are many different ways to celebrate Earth Day. Focusing on environmental issues, recycling efforts, it's also a good time to develop a personal awareness of Earth-related issues. Here, in no particular order, are ten of our favorite resources that are earth friendly today and every day:

  • Join EarthDay.org to stay on top of this celebration and to be in the loop for activities and events around the world.
  • Buy a water bottle that is reusable and shatterproof at Glasstic – get 10% off the last water bottle you will ever own.
  • Protect yourself and the environment with 3rd Rock Sunblock – no parabens, no hormone-disrupting chemical, GMO-free, and not harmful to coral or other underwater marine life.
  • Switch your laundry detergent for a great environmentally friendly product, My Green Fills.  Bonus, you'll save money by getting “the last laundry detergent bottle you'll ever buy.”
  • Ditch the plastic, get your own beautiful glass straws. This helps to reduce the harmful impact of plastic straws on marine life as well as reducing the use of this non-biodegradable product.
  • Ditch even more plastic by bringing your own utensils when you eat out using this beautiful Bamboo Utensil Travel Set.
  • Buy organic as much as possible, especially for the Dirty Dozen (those 12 fruits and vegetables most likely to be contaminated by pesticides, for animal products (so the animals can be raised without the use of added hormones, heavy antibiotics, and high levels of pesticides in their feed, and for the most common genetically modified crops – corn, canola, and soy.
  • Take a little time to connect with the earth through the healing practice of grounding.
  • Donate to an environmental cause of your choice. One organization, Defenders of Wildlife, is currently running a matching grant program that will triple your gift to help protect species around the world. Other environmental organizations include The Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund, The Sierra Club
  • Plant a tree, preferably from a local nursery so you're sure that it will do well in your area.

Bonus – because taking time for low-tech quiet activities is never a bad idea. And if it happens to focus on the earth, so much the better.

For more seasonal and superfood info check out these posts:

glyphosate, is it safe?

The Dangers Of Glyphosate

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, popular weedkiller, currently used in yards, parks, and farms all over the world. Controversy has long reigned over the use of this highly effective herbicide, due to its potentially dangerous effects on health and on the natural environment. Many highly respected researchers, including Dr. Stephanie Seneff at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, have been looking into the effects of glyphosate for many years. As a result of all of this research, there is now a considerable body of evidence against its use in gardening and agriculture.

In agriculture, we have seen a sharp rise in the amount of genetically modified crops, created to be resistant to Roundup, i.e., glyphosate. By modifying the crops, so the thinking went, farmers could spray Roundup on the crops with abandon. Although we have seen an increasing amount of genetically modified crops, we also now have a number of glyphosate-resistant weeds. This, quite obviously, defeats the purpose of spraying crops with herbicide.

Not Just For Weeds

In addition to its uses as a weed killer, glyphosate is also being sprayed on a variety of crops to dry them out before harvesting.  Currently, it's being used on a wide variety of crops including:

  • buckwheat
  • corn
  • flax
  • lentils
  • millet
  • non-GMO soybeans
  • oats
  • potatoes
  • rye
  • sugar beets
  • wheat

This widespread usage is causing more glyphosate to appear in the food supply. Even at levels above EPA guidelines, which have been already been found by experts to be too high. This excessive exposure only adds to the overall body burden and increases the damage to the environment and to our health.

Health Risks

For many people, the biggest concern around glyphosate is its potential effects on human health. The health risks could be wide-ranging. Scientists have suggested links between the use of glyphosate and conditions including auto-immune diseases, autism, and problems with the body's natural microbiome. Some studies even suggest that it could contribute to a range of common cancers, including breast cancer and certain types of leukemia.

The Microbiome

In 2013, a study by Dr. Stephanie Seneff and Dr. Anthony Samsel showed that glyphosate inhibits the activity of cytochrome P450, which is an important human enzyme. By interfering with this enzyme, it increases the damaging effects of other dangerous chemicals, reduces the body's resilience to toxins, and contributes to inflammation. The results of these effects include gastrointestinal disorders which are associated with disturbances in the gut microbiome.

Gout

In another study, Dr. Stephanie Seneff and her colleagues argue that glyphosate-induced changes to the microbiome contribute to the epidemic of gout that is present in the developed world today. Like many gastrointestinal diseases, gout is a condition that is characterized by inflammation. Seneff's findings suggest that traces of glyphosate in the diet could be the primary factor in the recent dramatic rise in gout cases in the United Kingdom.

Cancer

In another study, Dr. Anthony Samsel and Dr. Stephanie Seneff found correlations between the use of glyphosate on crops and a rise in the number of cases of a range of common cancers, including breast cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, and myeloid leukemia. These findings reflect the World Health Organization's labeling of glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic.” Some proponents of glyphosate argue that the amounts that are used on food crops are not large enough to cause cancer in humans, but it is difficult to precisely control the size of the dose of glyphosate that any particular individual receives from their diet.

Effects on the Natural Environment

In addition to its potentially harmful effects on human health, glyphosate also poses dangers for the environment. Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, recommends that people do not use the product close to fresh water because of its harmful effects on amphibians and other wildlife. However, it is not clear whether farmers and gardeners follow this recommendation. Even if they do make an effort to keep glyphosate away from sources of fresh water, rainwater, runoff can carry the product into streams and rivers, where it can wreak havoc on the health of fish and amphibians such as frogs. Furthremore, even if glyphosate does not directly kill fish and other wildlife, it can kill plants that these animals depend on for survival, causing ecological devastation that extends all the way up the food chain.

Depleting Nutrients From Soil

According to the National Pesticide Information Center, glyphosate binds tightly to particles of soil and can persist in the ground for up to six months after it is applied. Bacteria will gradually break it down, but many experts argue that the effect on the soil is long lasting. Healthy soil contains a range of minerals that plants need to grow, including magnesium, nitrogen, and phosphorous. Glyphosate can affect the concentrations of these nutrients in the soil, which could affect the ability of plants, including food crops, to grow and produce healthy fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

Friend or Foe?

Many gardeners and farmers rely on glyphosate because it is very good at killing unwanted plants and weeds. However, the dangers of glyphosate mean that its ability to get rid of weeds might not be worth the potential damage to our health and the environment. In particular, concerns over the damaging health effects of dietary glyphosate, as highlighted in the research of Dr. Stephanie Seneff, should give us pause before using glyphosate or purchasing foods that have been grown using this dangerous herbicide. The effects of glyphosate on the natural environment also should also not be ignored, as it could have potentially devastating effects on natural freshwater ecosystems.

Further reading

For more information about gluten and glyphosate:

 

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Sources

Do You Have Oral Allergy Syndrome?

You wake up in the morning and you brush your teeth then wash your face with your all natural face wash.  You’re in a hurry to get out the door for work but know you need to at least try to eat something, so you grab a ripe peach, or my favorite a crisp apple, to eat on the way to work.  You take a few bites and then it starts, your mouth gets itchy and your tongue starts to burn.  You start to think, “Was there something in my toothpaste?  Maybe I got some of the facewash in my mouth?  I think I would have known that.”

While there are real concerns with the products we use for our oral hygiene, there is another concern that may not have crossed your mind, pollen food syndrome, also known as PFS. 

What is PFS?

PFS is an allergic response marked by severe itching of the skin of the lips and mouth that can come with swelling or tenderness in and around the mouth or lips. 

PFS, also known as oral allergy syndrome, OAS, is distinct from another condition affecting the lips and mouth, burning mouth syndrome, or BMS. 

The difference between the two conditions is the cause of the itching and burning.  In BMS, the symptoms can be caused by a variety of things such as a systemic issue like diabetic nerve damage, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, psychological disorders or from other causes like chemotherapy, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, simple mouth infections like cold sores, or a candida infection.

When the condition is BMS the issue can sometimes be resolved by removal of the causative factor, such as changing to a different brand of toothpaste if the is caused by a specific chemical in it, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. In the case of systemic causes, dietary changes and treating any nutritional deficiencies can help to solve the overarching issue. In PFS the cause is from an antibody cross-reaction with proteins in the problem food. 

For our immune system to work properly, a protein on a bacteria needs to be recognized by our immune system.  Once recognized, our immune system can then identify and go to work attacking the problem organism.  The issue in PFS, like all allergies, comes when your body starts to recognize proteins as problematic when it shouldn’t.

Fortunately, unlike other food allergies, PFS is rarely life-threatening, though this fact won’t comfort someone who suffers from PFS.  A diagnosis of PFS is typically done on a case by case basis and those with PFS often have a history of hay fever with skin tests to the pollens or foods in question.

Due to the need to rule out other causative factors, people typically don’t get diagnosed until they have a medical history documenting issue. This explains why children are often undiagnosed. Some doctors will look at total or specific IgE antibodies to try and confirm an immune response and to rule out other factors.

How is PFS different?

While the itching, pain, and discomfort from PFS may seem like BMS, there are important differences.  One of these differences is that those who suffer from PFS often have an allergy to something else such as a classic food allergy, or an allergy to pollen. 

Another factor is that in people with PFS, the trigger foods typically come when raw food is consumed, and sufferers don’t have the same reaction when the food is cooked.  If you reacted to a raw apple or peach, you typically don’t get the same reaction to a cooked fruit dessert such as an apple or peach pie. This is because the proteins that cause the reaction in the food are not heat tolerant.  When these foods are cooked, the proteins will start to break down and thus won’t result in an immune response because our body is no longer able to recognize these proteins it thinks are harmful. 

PFS is often seen in people who have cross-reactions to birch, grass, or ragweed pollens.  People who are sensitized to birch pollen often cross-react with apple, pears, carrots, or celery and those sensitized with grass pollen will often cross-react with celery and carrots. There is concern that pesticides applied to plants may increase the expression of cross-reactive proteins in plants.  This means that eating clean foods and minimizing the chemicals in our environment can go a long way in terms of prevention PFS prevention.   

The Cross Reactors

Tree Pollen (typically birch and alder)

Fruits: Apple, apricot, cherry, fig, kiwi, lychee, nectarine, pear, plum, peach, prune, persimmon, strawberry

Vegetables: Beans, carrot, celery, green pepper, potato, parsnip, peas

Nuts: Almond, hazelnut, walnut

Spices: Anise, basil, dill, caraway, chicory, coriander, cumin, fennel, marjoram, oregano, parsley, paprika, pepper, tarragon, thyme

Other foods: Lentils, peanut, soybean, sunflower seeds

Grass

Fruits: Date, fig, kiwi, melons, orange, tomato, watermelon

Vegetables: Peas, potato

Other foods: Peanut

Mugwort (More common in Europe and Asia)

Fruits: Apple, melons, orange, peach, tomato, watermelon

Vegetables: Carrot, celery, green pepper, onion, parsnip

Other foods: Chamomile, sunflower seeds

Ragweed (pollinates in autumn)

Fruits: Banana, melons (e.g. cantaloupe, honeydew), watermelons

Vegetables: Cucumbers, zuchhini

At a glance

What to do if you have PFS?

If you suspect you have, or have been diagnosed with, PFS one of the first things you may be told is that there is no treatment available and to simply avoid the food that is causing the reaction. 

As mentioned above, cooked foods don’t result in the same reaction most of the time. When the food is from a fruit like an apple, you can also remove the skin as a way to weaken or remove the reaction.  The reason removing the skin works for some foods is because the skin often contains more protein than the rest of the food. 

When you remove the skin, you also take the problem causing proteins with it.  This should be done with caution though because fruits and vegetables can contain different amounts of the problematic protein depending on the conditions the food was grown in or how ripe it is. This means that removing the skin of one type of apple might not work while it may for another. 

It’s been estimated that 47-70% of people who suffer from allergic rhinitis also have PFS.  So if you have seasonal allergies it may be worth finding out if you have minor PFS symptoms that have gone unnoticed.

Sources

 

Allergic Living. (2010). Oral Allergy: Plants, Foods That Cross-React.  Retrieved from: https://allergicliving.com/2010/08/30/the-cross-reactors/

Coculescu, E. C., Ţovaru, Ş., & Coculescu, B. I. (2014). Epidemiological and etiological aspects of burning mouth syndrome. Journal of Medicine & Life, 7(3), 305-309Hofmann, A., & Burks, A. W. (2008). Pollen food syndrome: update on the allergens. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 8(5), 413-417.

Ludman, S., et al. (2016). Pollen food syndrome amongst children with seasonal allergic rhinitis attending allergy clinic. Pediatric Allergy & Immunology, 27(2), 134-140. doi:10.1111/pai.12504

Ivković-Jureković, I. (2015). Oral allergy syndrome in children. International Dental Journal, 65(3), 164-168. doi:10.1111/idj.12164

Portnoy, J. (2015). IgE in clinical allergy and allergy diagnosis. World Allergy Organization. Retrieved from: http://www.worldallergy.org/professional/allergic_diseases_center/ige/

Rivinius, C. (2009). Burning mouth syndrome: Identification, diagnosis, and treatment. Journal of The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 21(8), 423-429. doi:10.1111/j.1745-7599.2009.00424.x

Seto, C. (2010) OAS- When raw food is forbidden.  Allergic Living. Retrieved from: https://allergicliving.com/2010/07/02/oral-allergy-syndrome-a-life-without-fruit/

Antibiotic Weedkiller

 

Understanding glyphosate

There's an increasing amount of attention to how harmful glyphosate (the active ingredient in Monsanto's Round Up) is.  Roundup is not only used as a weed killer, it's now also being used as a desiccant, to dry crops before harvesting. Currently sprayed on wheat, oats, and beans, Monsanto additionally recommends it for desiccant use on flax, non-GMO canola, Non-GMO soy, peas, lentils, and sugar cane.  This increases our exposure to glyphosate dramatically.  

Not only are crops grown with genetic modification to allow for large scale use of Roundup as a weed killer, these crops are being dosed with extra applications before harvesting.  Non-GMO crops can be exposed to Roundup through wind-borne and insect-borne exposures.  Unfortunately, with the use of Roundup as a harvesting agent, now even non-GMO crops may be purposefully sprayed.  For some crops this could mean as many as three deliberate exposures to glyphosate.

Impact of glyphosate

Leaving aside the fact that Roundup is not an effective weed killer1 there are a wide range of issues regarding it's use

  • large scale harm to the environment2
  • it adversely affects mineral content of the crops3
  • increasing evidence that it causes gut health issues and can damage DNA4
  • the World Health Organization has deemed it a probable carcinogen5

there's one fact that most people don't realize.  First developed as an antibiotic, glyphosate was not as effective as it's developers intended. However they realized that it had potential as an herbicide and a new product was born.  Decades later we are dealing with an increasing fallout in terms of exposure, the impact on the environment, and the increase in illnesses linked to glyphosate exposure.  Increasing numbers of the population are experiencing issues with gut health, autoimmune system challenges, food allergies and more.  Issues that at their root have to do with the very nature of an antibiotic, to kill cells.  Yet we continue to bathe our crops, and our planet, in this persistent, endocrine disrupting, harmful product.

A new herbicide

So why do I mention Roundup?  Because it's happening again.  Scientists in Australia have discovered that the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (commonly known as Cipro) appears to be an effective herbicide.  According to Dr. Josh MyIne from the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Western Australia, “It kills plants in a very similar fashion to the way it kills microbes, by binding and interfering with an enzyme called gyrase.”  This may wind up being a case of history repeating itself.  Once again we potentially have an antibiotic being used as an herbicide.  Doubtless it will come with claims that it will be harmless to humans once it's used for an agricultural purpose.  As we are learning from glyphosate.  This is not true.

Dangers of Cipro

What makes the use of cipro especially concerning is that it belongs to a particular class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones.  While a potent and effective antibiotic, this class of medication has a high potential for toxic side effects including pain, depression, CFS, thyroid issues, and more.  I learned a startling amount of information about how harmful these medications can be from The Anxiety Summit Season 4 where my friend and colleague, Trudy Scott, the Food Mood Expert, spoke at length with fluoroquinolone toxicity patient advocate, Lisa Blomquist.  

As yet we have no idea what the potential for harm is from converting antibiotic cipro to an herbicide.  But if we take a lesson from the previous example it does not look promising.  Unfortunately the potential exists for cipro to be brought to agricultural use without examining any of those issues.  

 

 

 

 * * * * *

Glyphosate-resistant Weeds: current status and future outlook
The Environmental Impacts of Glyphosate
3 Damaging Effects of Roundup (and its active ingredient glyphosate)
4 Gut-Wrenching: New Studies Reveal the Insidious Effects of Glyphosate
5 IARC Monographs Volume 112: evaluation of five organophosphate insecticides and herbicides

Water Water Where

As we move into the warmer months many people find their water consumption going up.  Drinking more water is the smallest part of our overall use.  However landscaping, washing cars, water activities such as pools, all contribute to higher water usage.  Many of us tend to ignore how much water we use or to be less mindful of ways to conserve this precious resource.  The following infographic highlights the growing stress on our water system.  We all need to learn to think about what and how we are using water.

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