Ginger

I seriously love these. They are lightly sweet and quite tasty. And did you know just how good ginger is for you? You didn't? Well, let me help!

Benefits of ginger:
*ginger improves digestion
*ginger is a natural pain reliever
*ginger helps nausea. There are some women who swear it gets rid of morning sickness!
*ginger helps inflammation
*ginger eases heartburn
*ginger helps cold and flu for both prevention and treatment (think ginger ale).
*ginger helps ease menstrual cramps
*ginger helps kidney functions
*ginger helps improve circulation
*ginger helps arthritis (through reducing pain and inflammation already mentioned)
*ginger lowers cholesterol
*ginger has been said to help ovarian and colon cancer
*ginger is antibacterial and antifungal in nature so it is good for many things.

All in all, ginger chews aren't the best way to take ginger. A better idea is fresh ginger root used in cooking and baking, but if you are easing into it and want a tasty treat, ginger chews sure are great! (Oh, and you can find them at Big Hollow for only $2.25 a bag).

Kind of a creepy picture, but I love the idea of it.

For the first time in over two months the weather was warm enough (the high reached 40! and the trail was free of snow) for me to enjoy another barefoot run. Boy were my feet missing it! I ran 7 miles and now, an hour later and my feet still feel great!

Also, for the first time ever I saw another barefoot runner. We passed each other a few times going the opposite way around the loop. Very cool. I'm glad to know there is at least one other person like me in Someplace, Wyoming. I usually get weird looks, but think nothing of it. Today I did a double-take when I saw him running.

To reward myself I enjoyed an amazing pita with homemade roasted red pepper hummus (I'll have to post the recipe on here sometime) and a delicious orange.

Easy Acorn Squash

I had never mad acorn squash before last night...and let me tell you, it is EASY, DELICIOUS and REALLY GOOD FOR YOU! So,  try it!

What I did:

In case you're wondering, I am soaking beans in those buckets behind the squash. I like to cook my own organic beans for soup etc...

halve squash

scoop out seeds
score sides of squash 
place in baking dish with 1/4 to 1/2 in of water

add about 1 TBS of butter to each half of acorn squash and squeeze agave over it

bake at 400 for an hour +

enjoy!

Christmas Gift Ideas

Here are some non-conventional ideas for natural, useful Christmas gifts.

$50-$100

 Young Living ART kit. LOVE. IT. Around the same price as Mary Kay, but way better for your skin. Shown in the picture are the foaming cleanser, toner, night and day moisturizer.

$20-$40

 

 OK, I don't work for Young Living, but I love their products. Their oils have no added alcohol like most other essential oils and because of that, they are more expensive, but you get more bang for your buck. It only takes 1 or 2 drops to get the benefits. Some of my favorites include Thieves, Melaleuca, Lavender and Juva Cleanse.

$10-$20

This tooth powder is great and even though it looks questionable, it tastes great too. It is 100% organic, made from herbs and is actually made locally (in Wyoming). Can't beat that! Come on, we always got tooth brushes and tooth paste in our stockings growing up.

$1-$10

This soap is affordable and wonderful. It is also locally made and can be found at Big Hollow.

That's Souper

The one thing I love about staying in cold Wyoming through one more winter is the opportunity to create lots and lots of delicious soup. And here is yet another idea. I am so sorry that I don't have real recipes.

8-10 medium potatoes ( I used my little spuds and had to double that at least) chopped and placed in pot.
Add water until just covering the potatoes.
Add 2 Tbs garlic powder (or more to taste)
Add juice from 1 lime
Add about 1 Tbs salt
Cover and boil over medium heat
Once potatoes are tender, pour potatoes and water into blender and blend thoroughly.
While still in blender, add 1 Tbs cilantro (or more to taste) and either 1 can green chiles or roasted red peppers. I added the red peppers.
Blend just enough to chop mixture, but not puree.
Add mixture back into pot and taste. Make any adjustments necessary. Once suitable, remove from heat and add 1/2 cup sour cream (or kefir) and stir in. Serve with quesadillas. Enjoy!

Chocolate Winner(s)!

Since so few signed up (a little depressing) I decided to have three winners.
And they are:


Bubba
Jeri
and
Julia

Please leave a comment with your top two flavors of choice and Bubba I need your address to mail it to you.

Oh, and I only have one of each flavor because I didn't do the drawing until after I left Utah. So, make sure to give me two choices in case someone else wanted that flavor too. Reminder, the flavors are orange, raspberry, chocolate, mint, peanut butter and almond.

Oh, My!

In The Pink Series Half Marathon (more on this later) goody bag last weekend I found one of these:

 Oh, my! Heaven. In the form of chocolate.
This afternoon I stumbled upon them in a store and bought some more. The only flavor I haven't tried is the mint (not a huge fan of mint) but they are all delicious. They have orange, mint, raspberry, peanut butter, almond and chocolate. I think my favorites are almond and peanut butter.

Utah Truffles. They have no preservatives, no transfats and no hydrogenated oils. And you can actually pronounce everything on the ingredient list! Bonus!

Because I want to share the wealth (and get some subscribers) if you become a follower of thewaynatureintended.blogspot.com and leave a comment, you will get a chance to win a truffle bar of your choice. Just make sure to leave a comment as well. Oh, and Jeri and Bubba get entered in twice because they became followers a long time ago.

Giveaway ends Saturday at noon MST

Pomegranates

Reasons to Eat Pomegranates
Dissecting a pomegranate is worth it!
Not only are they delicious, this funny, apple-shaped, hard-husked fruit is also incredibly good for you!

 Researchers report that they are rich in antioxidants that can keep bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2000). In addition, pomegranate juice, like aspirin, can help keep blood platelets from clumping together to form unwanted clots.

Does this make any difference clinically? More recent research has found that eight ounces of pomegranate juice daily for three months improved the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle of patients with coronary heart disease (American Journal of the College of Cardiology, Sept. 2005). Other researchers report that long-term consumption of pomegranate juice may help combat erectile dysfunction (Journal of Urology, July 2005).

Investigators are also excited about the possibility that pomegranate compounds might prevent prostate cancer or slow its growth (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Sept. 26, 2005). Other research reports suggest that pomegranate juice might help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Even arthritis may yield to the power of pomegranates. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have reported that tissue cultures of human cartilage cells respond to pomegranate extract. Inflammation is reduced and the enzymes that break down cartilage become less active (Journal of Nutrition, Sept. 2005). This is still far from a prescription for aching joints, but most experts agree that a little pomegranate wont hurt and might help.

One traditional use of pomegranate juice is to calm diarrhea.

Symbolism of the Pomegranate

The symbolism of the pomegranate is also interesting. Said to represent wealth, wisdom, and is called "God's Fruit." It is also told to be a representation of woman, the womb and fertility for its abundance of seeds.

The pomegranate is one of the oldest recorded fruits. It is mentioned by Moses in the bible. The importance of the pomegranate spans a variety of religions from Judaism to Christianity and is found in diverse cultures such as Armenia and China.

Whatever the religion you practice, region where you live or your gender, there are reasons to enjoy this beautiful, and rich fruit.

My Local Find

Luckily, for me, it is pomegranate season in Southern Utah and I just happened to get a grocery sack full of the beautiful fruit...FOR FREE! The lady was so kind to just give them to me. You never know, the next time you pass a heavy fruit-laden tree, take a risk, knock on the door and see what you can get.

Another Reason to Plant a Garden

What I did:

Begin by simmering carrots in a stir-fry pan (or any other hard vegetable such as broccoli). Add a little water in addition to 1/4 to 1/2 cup soy sauce. As water boils out, replace it until carrots reach slight tenderness. I DO NOT LIKE MY VEGETABLES SOGGY IN STIR FRY. Sorry to yell, but it is serious business with me :)
After carrots have been cooking for about 5 min. add onions.
Next, add squash, sugar snap peas, peppers and juice from one lime.
Add 2-3 TBS honey.
Last, add tomatoes.
Serve over cooked brown rice.

It's Taking Over...And I Love it!

 

I have never wanted to visit New York City more!

For more information click here.

Sprouts

Yummmm
I don't know what it is about sprouts that makes me smile. Maybe it's that they look like mini-weeds, or that they're so easy to grow, or perhaps it's just that they are so stinkin' good for you and taste great at the same time. I don't know.

Lately I have been really diggin' this sandwich:

So, in the two+ years I have been growing sprouts, I think I have finally come up with the best way to grow them. We tried in a sprouting bag, a mason jar and now this:

The secret is (lean in and I'll whisper): the largest organic spring mix container from Safeway.

First, soak your sprouts over night. The instructions on my package says the seeds just need twice the amount of water as sprouts, but I don't measure it, I just dump the water on in.

The next morning, get empty salad container, and poke holes in the bottom. You don't want the holes big enough for the sprouts to fall through. I used a carving fork to make the holes, but you could use a push pin.

 After that, line the bottom with a durable paper towel (you will be leaving this in the bottom the entire time).

Next, pour sprouts into the container (over the sink :) and rinse with water.

Leave the container in the sink until most water has dripped out.

Lightly cover container with lid and drape dark towel over container.

These babies are growin'

Rinse daily (instructions say twice daily, but I found once was enough).

Last step, and most important one, leave sprouts in lighted (not direct sunlight) area for 4-6 hours or until green. The sprouts reach their full nutritional level after this process. Be sure to allow time for them to turn green.

Oh, and then enjoy!

Here is a great resource.

And just check out this chart!

I Did It

I paid $60.

And registered online.

No more second-guessing myself.

I am going to run a half-marathon.

And I am going to do it October 16.

In Park City, Utah.

And, it's gonna be fun.

Read more about it here.

And here.

And here.

I'm Back

...well, kinda. I'm back on my blog after a week+ hiatus because we have been visiting family. But I'm not back home yet.

Being a visitor in someone else's home is a struggle when trying to stick to a more natural/organic/local diet. However, here are a few tips for you to try on your next trip.

1) Relax. You're not going to be in charge (for the most part) of what, where or when you eat. So, choose not to stress over it. It's okay if you eat out more than you do at home. Being healthy really is about making the right choices 80-90% of the time. Not 100%.


2) Pack what you can to bring with you. Troy and I had some fresh produce from our garden that we knew we would go bad anyway while we were gone, so we took it with us. It makes for much better snacks on the long drive as well as healthier options once you get there. I even brought my kefir with me (much to my mother-in-law's dismay).

3) If in season, try out the local flavor. There are actually more options for locally grown produce right now in Utah then there are in Wyoming which means that I have visited the road-side stands with cash in hand. Yum. And I am lucky enough to have parents that also garden, so when we leave tomorrow I will be bringing back organic pears, grapes, squash, tomatoes and peppers and I'll grab a couple of boxes of peaches, apples and a flat or two of berries from the local farmers.

Coconut Oil

Let's begin!

I love coconut oil. I first discovered it on accident (as so happens with most of my true loves: Troy,)
I was looking for a remedy to my white tongue (I hadn't yet realized it was thrush) and magically googled upon something called oil pulling. I think it's fabulous by the way, but again, that's another post. Along with helping my thrush. I soon discovered that oil pulling with coconut oil was also good for helping dental problems. I had been to the dentist a few month prior and he wanted to have me come back for the beginning stages of a cavity near the gum on one of my upper teeth. I didn't make the appointment. Go ahead and judge, I know I'm horrible. But after oil pulling off and on every day for a while, my tooth no longer hurt. When I went back to the dentist 6 months later, nothing showed up on the x-ray and the dentist never mentioned anything about the tooth...because there was now nothing wrong with it! It didn't...DOESN'T...hurt anymore. Pretty amazing.

The oil pulling with coconut oil led me to find other great reasons to use coconut oil.

For instance, did you know that coconut oil is good for your hair? It is also great for skin care, stress relief, weight loss, improving the immune system, helping digestion and metabolism, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, remedying kidney problems, high blood pressure, cancer...are you getting sick of the list yet? Well, needless to say, it is a miracle oil!

The benefits of coconut oil are attributed to its being a source of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

Lauric Acid
The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV.
and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

Coconut oil is made up of more than ninety percent of saturated fats (If you read my previous post you know not to panic!), with traces of few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It also is a source of Vitamin-E, Vitamin K and important minerals such as Iron.

Hair Care:
One of the best natural nutrition for hair, Coconut oil helps in healthy growth and shiny hair. By regularly massaging your head with coconut oil you can be rid of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care.

Skin Care: Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. . It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. But I have found that merely ingesting coconut oil will improve the complexion.

Premature Aging: Coconut oil helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.

Heart Diseases: There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for the heart (because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats). However, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Weight Loss: Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases. Studies have been done with people just taking 1 tsp a day of coconut oil and not doing anything different in their diets and losing 3-5 lbs. per year.

Digestion: Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Immunity: Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria and harmful protozoa such as giardia.

Healing: When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.

Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candida, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

Liver: Coconut oil is easily converted into energy when it reaches the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.

Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.

Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.

Bones: As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium which are necessary for development of bones. Thus coconut oil is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.

Dental Care: Calcium is an important element in healthy teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.

HIV and Cancer: It is believed that coconut oil plays an instrumental role in reducing viral susceptibility of HIV and cancer patients.

Finally, coconut oil is often preferred by athletes and body builders and by those who are dieting. The reason behind this being that coconut oil contains lesser calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance of athletes.

Recipes:
Personally, I love to add coconut oil when I make homemade granola, muffins, banana bread, or stir fry. It would be great in just about anything! Especially if you don't care for the sometimes overpowering taste of olive oil. Coconut oil is subtle and slightly nutty and sweet.
I am dying to try this no-bake cookie with coconut oil and a few others I have seen on various blogs. This lady loves to cook with it. And here is a big list of recipes. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but doesn't like high heat. When cooking with coconut oil it is optimal to cook at a lower heat for a longer amount of time. But if that won't work...c'est la vie.

My Story

Eating organic kind of crept up on me. I mean, I had previously heard things saying that it's better for you, but I thought, "Maybe, but it's also way more expensive." It wasn't until I found a new friend who eats organically that I began asking questions and really figuring out why it's the better way.

And the clincher for me? I want to have a baby.

I am convinced that my overall health plays a huge role in eventually having the ability to bear a child (or two or three:) I was already beginning to make changes in my diet looking for an answer to my multiple miscarriages. I had tried going off dairy and gone completely gluten-free for a time. And, I had been praying and fasting for answers and guidance as to what to do next. I don't say that to try to convince anyone that this is the only way. I say it only to state that I know for me, going as natural as possible is the right thing to do.

Now that I know it is most likely because of MTHFR A1298C, and the fact that my body doesn't metabolize folic acid the way it should, it made me start to wonder if I could just go to the source for other nutritional discrepancies as well: FOOD.

While I still eat randomly and pig-out somewhat, at least most all of my food choices are fresh and NOT boxed, pre-made, full of preservatives and names I can't pronounce. And I feel a difference. I feel healthier and happier. I'm not skinnier, but I have more energy and even my skin in clearer than it has been in a while. For me, the benefits certainly out-weigh the cost.

My goal for this blog is not to coerce or persuade people into believing or acting a certain way. My intention is to state what I do, why I do it and add a few other voices into the mix. Then, perhaps you will go out, do some more research and decide for yourself. This blog isn't a soap box and I am no politician preaching my agenda. I'm just another blogger with her opinion. Feel free to disagree. But please leave comments :)

My Friend, Kefir

Not to be confused with this guy.

This is the pal I'm meaning:

Cute little fella'

Why you should get one (of his zillions of siblings) for a friend of yours:
1. Kefir is a natural. As in, a natural probiotic.
2. He's super easy to have around. I have left him forgotten, sitting in my fridge for months at a time only to put him in a new bottle with fresh milk and voila! He's good as new.
3. He is versatile. Add the kefir milk to fresh oatmeal or make a fruit smoothie. You can even use the milk to make a cool and creamy salad dressing. Not bad.
4. Kefir will beat up the bad guys for you.
5. And, he is good for you. Enough said.

Link over here to find more reasons why.


More information about Kefir
Kefir is fermented milk that ends up taking the consistency of runny yogurt. You can find it in the stores in a smoothie type bottle, but these do not have the live culture for you to grow on your own.
A kefir grain (that's what the cultures are called) looks like a small cauliflower floret (see my picture above). The grains are a combination of bacteria and yeast, as well as small amounts of sugars and proteins. Because kefir is a culture, it will grow in size.


You can make your own kefir by adding the grain to milk (about 7 or 8 TBS milk to 1 TBS kefir). I do this in a glass jar (with lid). Be sure to keep the jar out of direct sunlight. Allow the milk to sit at room temperature for 12+ hours  to ferment. If it is warm in your house the kefir will ferment quicker than in a cold atmosphere. If this kind of creeps you out, you can leave the jar in the fridge, but it will take MUCH MUCH longer to thicken. When the liquid is thick like runny yogurt, it is done. Strain the kefir to find the grain and repeat the process. Use the milk mixture as kefir. (Kefir will keep in the refrigerator for months!)

Kefir tastes similar to plain yogurt, but it is an acquired taste. And of course, you can add fresh fruit to it to sweeten it up!

If you linked over earlier in the post, you will know that kefir has many health benefits. Kefir is full of probiotics and vitamins. The coolest thing, in my opinion, is that it actually restructures the bacteria in your intestines (unlike yogurt). And will help digest your food. A lot of people that have IBS or something similar really just need good kefir and then their tummies would be more settled. Kefir also helps with gas and bloating. You could almost just plan on eating some kefir before/after/during every meal and it would help your digestive system tremendously! Additionally, if you have a lactose intolerance, you can still eat kefir because kefir digests the sugars in the milk.

Kefir can also be used as a substitute for buttermilk, sour cream, or yogurt in various recipes. This can depend on the recipe and how long you've cultured the batch of kefir, since the kefir gets more tangy the longer it cultures. And since homemade kefir is cheaper than yogurt, sour cream, or buttermilk, there are endless ways to use it if you want to get creative!

Where can you get a kefir?
The easiest way to obtain some kefir culture is to get some from a friend who is making kefir.
Here is a list of people who either sell or give away (sometimes free to local pick-up, or just for the cost of shipping) kefir grains. (You have to email the individuals through that webpage for details.)

You can also find them online or at some health food stores.

Be sure to get kefir grains, not just a "starter", which is sometimes sold. Kefir grains can be used "forever", whereas "starters" can only be used 7 times.

*Many types of milk may be used to culture kefir, but kefir grains that are cultured in non-animal milk will stop growing. Consider using your excess grains to culture soy milk, rice milk, coconut milk, etc.

Why Visit Your Local Farmer's Market?

The new trend is to shop locally, but why? What's so great about buying local? Especially if the produce/product is more expensive and/or not even organic?

Well, I'll tell you.

Buying locally is the very tail end of the product cycle that started with a tiny seed. A seed that, thanks to big companies like Monsanto*, have been genetically modified and patented. Who knew anyone could get the genetic rights to a plant? I thought only God created living things, but I'm wrong. Plants grown by Monsanto are altered (for the point of this post, although there are other modifications) to terminate after bearing fruit. The plant no longer goes through the entire life cycle taught in 9th grade biology. It won't produce seeds. If by some chance it does, the seeds won't produce anything. These are called terminator seeds. (tee hee. Click here for the real link) (if you link over, just know that it is already happening. I have a friend whose family owns a small organic farm in Star Valley. They have already been contacted by Monsanto and told they need to no longer harvest their own seeds. And it's not worth the fight for them because they can't afford the court fees So, they have to buy their seeds each year or get a hold of heirloom seeds and produce those). Pretty bold to scientifically alter the very nature of life given by God. But it's all about being able to market something. If you sell something to a farmer and he can keep growing it without you, where's the profit? **

Anyway, when you shop from farmer's markets it is likely that you are buying not only from people who need your support financially, but their plants are heirloom plants. That means they haven't been altered. Their seeds have come from previous plants and have been grown and passed down from generations.

Another reason to buy from local farmers is because of the cost in transportation, or if you care about being green, the carbon impact. Think about how much gasoline it takes to transport that apple from New Zealand, half-way around the world for $1.59/lb. vs. the apple grown even a state away for $1.99. It makes the actual cost of your fruit a lot higher even if you think you're paying less. And less of that money goes back to the actual laborer.

Then, there is the fact that the fruits and vegetables are in season when purchased locally. None of the pink-ish, tasteless tomatoes or squishy grapes. I know first-hand just how different a peach tastes within hours of right off the tree vs. Wal-mart. Did you know that when you buy apples from Wal-mart you are most likely buying an apple that was grown at LEAST over a year ago? Apples are frozen, stored and then thawed. If you are getting any fruit/vegetable in any season other than the one it naturally grows, it had to come from somewhere other than where you live, or been unnaturally preserved to get to you.

Check this out for more information on why to buy from farmer's markets, or visit these links to find one near you!

www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets
www.localharvest.org
www.csacenter.org

We'll chat later on why GMO foods are so bad for you.

*To quote directly from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle:
"'The Strange Case of Percy Schmeiser'
In 1999, a quiet middle-aged farmer from Bruno, Saskatchewan, was sued by the largest biotech seed producer in the world. Monsanto, Inc. claimed that Percy Schmeiser had damaged them, to the tune of $145,000, by having their patented gene in some of the canola plants on his 1,030 acres. The assertion was not that Percy had actually planted the seed, or even that he obtained the seed illegally. Rather, the argument was that the plants on Percy's land contained genes belonging to Monsanto. The gene, patented in Canada in the early 1990s, gives genetically modified (GM) canola plants the fortitude to withstand spraying by glyphosate herbicides such as Roundup, sold by Monsanto.


Canola, a cultivated variety of rapeseed, is one of over three thousand species in the mustard family. Pollen from mustard is transferred either by insects, or by wind, up to one-third of a mile. Does the patented gene travel in the pollen? Yes. Are the seeds viable? Yes, and can remain dormant up to ten years. If seeds remain in the soil from previous years, it's illegal to harvest them. Further, if any of the seeds from a field contain the patented genes, it is illegal to save them for use. Percy had been saving his seeds for fifty years. Monsanto was suing for possession for intellectual property that had drifted onto his plants. The laws protect possession of the gene itself, irrespective of its conveyance. Because of pollen drift and seed contamination, the Monsanto genes are ubiquitous in Canadian canola.


Percy lost his court battles: he was found guilty in the Federal Court of Canada, the conviction upheld in the court of appeals. The Canadian Supreme Court narrowly upheld the decision (5-4). but with no compensation to Monsanto. This stunning case has drawn substantial attention to the problems associated with letting GM genies out of their bottle. Organic canola farmers in Saskatchewan have now sued Monsanto and another company, Aventis, for making it impossible for Canadian farmers to grow organic canola..." Pretty pathetic if you ask me.


**Specific foods to avoid because of genetic manipulation are corn (in any variety, and it's in almost EVERYTHING, even powdered sugar!), canola and soy unless the package specifically states that it is not GMO (genetically modified).

Nutritional Yeast

What is it?
Nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast (NOT brewer's yeast).

Why eat it?
It is packed with protein and B-vitamins. It is actually one of the only natural sources for B-12. A lot of vegans and vegetarians eat it because of this.

What does it taste like?
Kind of cheesy, kind of nutty and kind of tangy. Last night Troy and I tried it out on popcorn and both loved it. And that's saying something for Troy! When the weather cools down enough to make mashed potatoes, we're going to try it in that too.

Here is a link to some recipes online  and here is even a bigger list of recipes.

Where can I get it?
At a health food store or online. I bought ours at Whole Earth Grainery downtown.

Why I Wear Men's Deodorant

And it's not because I'm stinky.

Well, I hope not.

Okay, I know first-hand that going organic/natural is costly. I mean, as much as I like to pretend we have money, we don't. My husband just graduated law school, but decided he didn't want to practice law and consequently didn't take the bar. Don't get me wrong, I support him 100% in this decision. I don't think the law is for him. But in the meantime, we are trying to make a go of it starting a business, but not being able to do too much because the business is in a state where we don't yet live, because of a house we can't yet sell...

So, what do I do in the meantime? Find great alternatives to organic. They're out there. You just have to look.

Enter in: Deodorant.

I actually stopped using anti-persperant about 8 years ago. It just seemed weird to not sweat when doing an activity that was supposed to make you sweat. And I didn't like that it turned the armpits of my white shirts yellow. But the real reason I stopped is because anti-perspirant has an ingredient (aluminum) that has been shown to cause alzheimers and breast cancer. Here's a link about it's correlation with breast cancer.

While there is still some dispute online about this info. consider that in 1993 AWorld Health Organization "Public Health Report" cited autopsies that found high concentrations of aluminum in the brains of those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

Also, consider that everything we put on our skin (makeup, lotion, deodorant, shampoo, etc...) gets absorbed into our skin. Absorbing aluminum? Well, that's a metal that doesn't come back out, but stays stored in our bodies. Hmmm...

Also, consider that aluminum pots and pans used to be the norm until people learned that they could be harmful. Do you see many aluminum pots and pans anymore?

What do I used instead?

While not perfect, it's cheap and can be found at Wal-Mart. And doesn't have aluminum as an ingredient.

Product Recommendation

This stuff is liquid gold.

Seriously.

It cures just about everything and can be used to wash hair, clothes, the bathroom---you name it. It kills most strands of strep and both the cold and flu viruses. It's safe to ingest and can be used as a fruit and vegetable wash. It can also be added to water storage to keep the water safe for up a number of years. This product can be added to a carpet shampooer to get rid of pet odors. It will kill mildew and fungus as well as garden pests such as aphids.

Are you convinced yet?

I'm talking about Grapefruit Seed Extract.

For between $17-20 you can get a bottle of this wonder. I use it all the time.

Warning: gross confession up ahead!

Ever since getting pneumonia a year and a half ago (and taking hard-core antibiotics) I have struggled off and on with candida and yeast infections. Their re-occurrence was mostly caused by my diet, but the antibiotics had weakened the normal bacterial balance in my stomach and intestines so I have to be super careful about sugar consumption as well as white flours. Anyway, the only thing to work (including over the counter stuff) is GSE. I mix 9 drops of it in water and gargle/drink it. It can even be used as a douche (but only if you dilute it a lot). GSE should never be taken full strength. It can be added to water (as stated above), or oil (like when used on a cold sore or cracked lips).

Click here for more information on Grapefruit Seed Extract  or HERE or HERE