Tired of big oil raking in all this profit while they also benefit from massive government subsidies thanks to the Bush administration? Is your children’s college fund going out of your pocket and into your local gas pump? Maybe you are a tree hugging hippie with a hybrid that used to cost $15 to fill up and now you spend $45. Or maybe you’re a hummer-driving logger who would run over a spotted owl if you saw one lying on the road. Either way, unless you are heavily invested in big oil, you’re probably not too happy with what’s happening at the gas pumps. There is no denying that big oil companies are taking advantage of us. But I for one am VERY HAPPY ABOUT IT!!!

I’m not invested in oil. I’m not a wealthy man by any stretch. It hurts me as much as it hurts you to fill up at the gas station. I feel the pain of the people on eBay who are selling their wedding rings to pay for gas. But I also know this: we as Americans drive and drive and drive, and until recently we had no concern over whether or not we were damaging the environment. Oh sure, we’ve all heard of people who carpooled, but we’ve probably never met one unless we live in California. We drive SUVs while people in Europe are cramming themselves into tiny cars like the ones a dozen clowns try to squeeze into at a circus.

A few years ago someone asked me, “What’s it gonna take to curb our oil usage?” I told them it would take more than global warming, more than war, more than the availability of alternative fuels. I said it would take very high gas prices. How high? Well, a lot higher than they are now.

We’re bitching, but how many of us have bought a hybrid? How many of us have written our local congressman or senator to ask why we don’t have electric cars? How many of us have done enough research to discover that this whole hydrogen fuel cell campaign was put together by the same people who bought up the battery patents for electric cars and then chose to sit on the technology so it can’t be used for another 12 years? How many people really understand that biofuel from corn is a worse idea than what we are doing now?

Until we are paying the true cost of gasoline, including the environmental cleanup and the health care costs associated with pollution, we will continue to drive like there is no tomorrow.

I was at the gas station in South Georgia when I overheard a guy talking about how he was thinking of trading in his pickup truck for a hybrid. I couldn’t help but smile. When a guy who wears a cap that says, “I’d rather push a Ford than drive a Chevy,” —a guy who drives a new Ford F 150 pickup with a gun rack, a confederate flag on the rear window, and a McCain bumper sticker—talks about trading in his truck for a hybrid, there’s hope for us all.

Trade in your car for a moped; and take public transportation whenever possible. Better yet, get a bicycle! Car pool to work and walk everywhere else. When you do need to drive, following ten tips can save you gas, and money.

Brainwashed – Letter From the Editor

Ask OLM

10 Things You Can Do To Have More Energy

Plastic Bags

Organic, All Natural, and Certified Naturally Grown Food Labels

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The truth is electric engines are a much better alternative to replace the combustion engine than hydrogen fuel cells. The truth is war is incredibly profitable to the powers that make decisions about whether or not we go to war.

The truth is all of the studies that show global warming to be a hoax are well funded by the companies who benefit from those results. The truth is whether global warming exists or doesn’t exist is not the only issue. We are the stewards of our planet. Protecting our planet and caring for our fellow creatures that inhabit it benefits us in many other ways.

The truth is, to a large extent, major corporations control our government. The truth is hemp could be an incredible source of paper, food, and textiles for us while benefitting our soil and our environment.

The truth is that antibiotics and antibacterial products are doing much more damage to our bodies and to our environment than the bacteria that we fear. The truth is that we need bacteria to survive. The truth is that E-coli and salmonella would not plague us if it weren’t for our grotesque farming practices. The truth is that pasteurization of our food is very bad for us.

The truth is that almost all medications are unnecessary if one leads a healthy lifestyle. The truth is that conventional farming and agriculture are stripping the nutrients from our food while poisoning our bodies and our environment. The truth is that there is a simple cure for cancer, diabetes, and for the many new diseases that did not exist until fairly recently. The truth is that in this country, “the land of the free,” doctors who practice natural medicine are going to jail for curing diseases without the use of conventional medicine.

The truth is that we are brainwashed.

Big business is designed to realize short term, not long term profits. While it can be very profitable to go green or to promote health in the long run, the change requires a massive initial investment and a major shift in perception. Big business is all about returns. Stockholders want profits and they want them now. Profits drive business.

But I see that times are changing. People are waking up. Big business knows that if it doesn’t start making changes, consumers will take their business elsewhere. The truth is most of the large corporations would rather convince us that they’ve changed or that they are changing while they keep doing things their way.

We, as consumers, need to start educating ourselves. We need to vote with our pocketbooks. We need to speak out. Anyone who thinks pasteurization of foods is beneficial is brainwashed. Anyone who thinks the word “refined” on food packaging to be a good thing is brainwashed. Anyone who thinks every visit to the doctor should result in a prescription for antibiotics is brainwashed.

It is challenging to re-educate ourselves. We are bombarded with so much misinformation. When someone asks me questions about health, I often think that my answers are just plain common sense. But as they say, common sense is uncommon, especially when there are so many people who stand to profit from uneducated consumers.

What would you do if you just invested 168 million dollars in a new drug to treat cancer and someone told you that a simple change in diet would eradicate cancer cells? Would you even consider the possibility? If you’re like most people you’d convince yourself it wasn’t possible. But if you did recognize the truth, would you risk that investment? Would you do the right thing?

I’m not saying that all the people in charge of big businesses knowingly hurt us or our planet. I’m not a conspiracy theorist. While many of them knowingly do harmful things for a profit, I believe the majority chooses to remain oblivious, just like the general population.

The truth is times are changing. It’s time to wake up. We’re at a turning point. Let’s be sure we take this opportunity to make things change for the better.

Michael Edwards

Editor in Chief

Floaters

I have a question about “floaters” in the eyes. I have asked several nutritionalists about what they are and how do you get rid of them. Do you have any data on “floaters”?

Thanks,

Joy

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS:
Floaters are caused by minute pieces of protein matter (cellular debris) in the viscous fluid within the eyeball. Some people consider this to mean a weakening of the retina attachment and where there are many of them, have gone the lengthy surgery route to handle a detached retina. I have only run into a couple of people with this problem and in each case, the floaters very quickly and permanently disappeared by doing a thorough Intestinal Cleanse and Liver/Gallbladder Flush/Cleanse in addition to using a special tincture applied directly to the eyes.

My special Eyebright Formula is as follows:

1 part Eyebright Herb
1 part Red Raspberry Leaf
1 part Goldenseal Root
1 part Rue Flower
1 part Mullein Flower
1 part Fennel Seed
1/8th part Cayenne Pepper (hottest you can find = Habanero)

In a base of 50% alcohol or 100 Proof Vodka and 50% distilled water. Fill your tincture jar from 2/3rd to 3/4th full of the herbs. Blend the herbs in a blender with your alcohol mixture and let stand in a dark room for a minimum of 14 days. A part is by volume not by weight. It is best to make this tincture on the New Moon and to press it on the Full Moon. Use only 1 to 10 drops in an eye cup and fill the remaining space with distilled water. Start with 1 drop and work up to 10 as this is a warm mixture. Place over eye and open and close your eye for a minute or two while moving eye up, down and to both sides.

Hope this helps

Best regards,

Doc

Ear Infections

Can you recommend a herbal remedy for ear infections?

Joni

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS: One of the best remedies for ear infections I’ve ever used is to crush a clove of garlic into about 3 tablespoons of olive oil, let sit for 24 hours, strain out the garlic pieces, and put a few drops in the ear every hour on the hour while awake. It worked wonders on the children and adults I’ve recommended it to.
Best Regards,

Doc

Distilled Water

I’ve heard that distilled water is too acidic. Is this true?

Susan

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS: The only time distilled water gets too acidic is when it is left out without a cover since it picks up CO2 very easily. As soon as you make your distilled water, put it into an old gallon apple juice glass bottle, put the top on it, and you’ll have no pH problems with it.

Yours in Knowledge, Health, and Freedom,

Doc

Herbs

I know a herbalist from Romania who recommends that his clients places the herbs (made into powder) under the tongue and keep them there for 20 minutes, After that the herbs are swallowed. My question is, would all the power of the herbs be absorbed in the body in this way? Also which parts of the herbs are insolvable in water?

Kind Regards,

Cristian

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS: Herbs are more absorbable as tinctures than the way you suggest. Tinctures (Extracts) are probably the most effective way to get the biochemstry of the herbs into the body, short of intravenous injection 😉

With love,

Doc Shillington

Second Hand Smoking

I work in a smoke filled environment. I’m a bartender. What supplements can I take to reduce the side affects associated with second hand smoke?

DR. KELLY ANSWERS: N-Acetyl Cysteine, or NAC is my first choice. NAC is an amino oxidant antioxidant and a free radicalscavenging agent that can help your liver detoxify. I’d also recommend a quality Vitamin C. Clearing the air is the best choice, obviously. If possible see if your boss could install a quality air filtration system.
Yours Truly,

Dr. Kelly

If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, feel sleepy in the afternoon, or find yourself having trouble focusing all day, these 10 strategies should help you have more energy.

1. Stop Drinking Coffee

Look into the effects coffee has on your kidneys and adrenal glands. Coffee stimulates the production of adrenaline and puts excessive wear and tear on the adrenal glands. The higher your caffeine intake, the more your body stops producing energy on its own and the more it relies on caffeine’s effects on your body chemistry.

2. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Don’t skip breakfast, but don’t eat an unhealthy breakfast either. They say it’s the most important meal of the day. It sets the tone. Pancakes and fake maple syrup will put you on a sugar high. You’ll either crash and burn or ride that rollercoaster all day.

3. Eat better and More Often

Eat every 4 to 5 hours: Eating throughout the day provides your brain and body with a constant source of fuel. This 4-5 hour eating strategy can dramatically prevent dips in your blood sugar levels. Concentrated sources of sugar like soda, candy, fruit juice, jam, and syrup will create radical spikes in your blood sugar that leave you feeling tired as soon as the level drops. And even though refined grains you eat in white bread, crackers, bagels, and pasta do not naturally contain sugar compounds, they are metabolized into sugar very quickly and can create the same effect.

4. Drink More Water

Most people are dehydrated. Dehydration causes a host of problems including irritability, low energy levels, poor concentration, and lethargy.

5. Deep Breathing

If you find yourself yawning, try some deep breathing exercises to revitalize yourself.

6. Have a Positive Attitude

Negativity drains your energy. Remember, lack of exercise and vitamin deficiencies make it harder to have a positive attitude.

7. Exercise

The twenty minutes you spend exercising could pay you back an hour or more due to better focus and deeper, higher quality sleep. Stop saying you don’t have time to exercise. If you are too busy, you don’t have time not to.

8. See a Doctor

A naturopathic doctor can tell you if your thyroid glands are not working properly and if you need a thyroid supplement, if you’re B vitamin deficient, or if you need adrenal support. Problems in these areas will lead to chronic tiredness and poor sleep.

9. Get Enough Sleep

While the amount needed varies, experts say adults should get
seven to nine hours per night. Regardless of the numbers, if you’re dragging yourself out of bed in the morning, fighting off the need to nap in the afternoon, or falling asleep watching TV, you’re probably not getting enough.

10. Get Quality Sleep

6 hours of deep sleep is better then 9 hours of tossing and turning.

• Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic bags annually, and only 0.6 percent of them are recycled.¹
• Plastic bags not only endanger wildlife by polluting land and water but also pose an environmental threat, as some plastic bags can take more than 1,000 years to break down in a landfill.²
• Countries that have introduced bans or taxes on non-biodegradable, petroleum-based plastic bags include China, Ireland, Italy, Thailand, Australia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and South Africa and others such as Santa Monica, CA, New Haven, CT, Annapolis, MD, and Portland, OR are considering it. In New York City, a bill recently overwhelmingly passed requiring large stores and retail chains to collect and recycle plastic bags they give to shoppers.³

1. Worldwatch Institute
2. The Environmental Protection Agency
3. Whole Foods