Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron Have a Message for Everyone: Eat Less Meat

The Director, James Cameron, and former governor of California, former movie star, and former omnivorous bodybuilder, Arnold Schwarzenegger, remind us that animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the combined exhaust from all transportation. Cameron, vegan since 2011, and long time meat eater, Schwarzenegger, are promoting a plant-based diet. Together they are supporting China’s new directive that asks its citizens to cut down on meat consumption to prevent illness such as heart disease and diabetes. Schwarzenegger says he feels fantastic and tells us not to buy into the idea that we need more meat to be strong. He also says:

Less meat, less heat, more life.”

True Activist Reports:

According to the documentary Cowspiracy, livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. By utilizing land to grow crops that feed humans rather than cows, world hunger can be managed and the large amounts of methane produced by the livestock (which is 25-100 times more destructive than CO2 on a 20-year time frame) will be lessened.

It all begins with the little choices you make. Thankfully, eating healthy, plant-based food is easier now, more than ever. Whether you purchase veggie burgers at the store or opt to make your own, there are a variety of ways you can please your palate while helping the planet.

Schwarzenegger correctly advises: “You have to start slowly, you can’t just convince people to stop eating meat altogether. It’s a very big challenge, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done and you shouldn’t be on that campaign, but it’s a very hard thing to overcome.”

It doesn’t have to be difficult, and it can most definitely be delicious. Click here if you need recipe inspiration.

Arnold Schwarzenegger partnered with the Wild Conservation Society to raise awareness about the issue of poaching. In that video, he made it clear that poachers will pay for their crimes against humanity as killing African Elephants for their tusks is likely to result in their demise within the next decade.

Conclusion

It’s not that eating meat is bad for you, contrary to what almost every vegan argues. The concern with meat regarding health is if it’s factory farmed or otherwise unhealthy meat, how it was processed, and how it is cooked. Meat, when of healthy quality and prepared right, is not “bad” for you. Raw fresh produce is the best thing to eat, but if that was all we ate we’d need to graze on food all day, especially if we are active. Regardless, there are many other great reasons to stop eating meat or to cut down.

If you choose to eat meat, please do so responsibly, and don’t forget that your money will be a vote for cruelty or a vote for better treatment every time you purchase meat. Please be an informed customer.

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Dr. Bronner’s No Longer With Organic Trade Assoc. Saying They Betrayed GMO Labeling Movement

Most of our readers are familiar with Dr. Bronner’s, the largest soap and body care products company in the natural and organic sector. The company supports an increased minimum wage, cannabis reform, animal welfare rights, and has a long history of supporting the organic movement.

The Organic Trade Association, aka OTA, is a membership-based business association for the organic business community in North America. OTA claims to promote the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, and the public. The OTA recently disillusioned consumers who are fighting for GMO labeling by supporting the DARK act. In response, Dr. Bronners has cut ties with the organization.

Dr. Bronner’s, North America’s leading natural brand of soap and organic body care products, has resigned from the Organic Trade Association (OTA), citing the association’s betrayal of the consumer-led GMO labeling movement, and general drift away from the core principles that drive the organic movement. The OTA compromised their initial position of opposition to the DARK Act and lent the crucial support that allowed anti-labeling legislators to push that same legislation through the Senate and be signed into law by President Obama this summer.” – Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s has pledged to redirect its organizational resources to organizations that “…more authentically and courageously…” promote organic, sustainable agriculture.

We are particularly thrilled to support the Rodale Institute’s new Organic Farming Association and the expansion of their regional teaching farms across the country, as well as participate in the North American General Assembly of the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) at Expo East,” says Dr. Bronner’s Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO), David Bronner. “We encourage all true organic companies, whether they choose to remain a part of the OTA or not, to support and participate in both,” continues Bronner.

This DARK Act was made possible in large part by what I and other movement leaders see clearly as the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) betrayal of the movement to mandate labeling of GMOs in America, forever preempting Vermont and all other states from mandating disclosure of GMOs on packaging.” – David Bronner, Huffington Post

Late July President Obama ignored roughly 250,000 petitioners by signing  Senate Bill 764, otherwise known as The DARK Act, into law. It’s a compromise bill developed by food companies that creates mandatory, standard, national labeling for GMO foods. The problem with the bill is that it does not provide a simple label disclosure on the package. It also eliminated the ability of individual states to force labeling. And to make matters worse, as the bill is written, this law might not even apply to genetically modified ingredients derived from soy and sugar beets. Companies will have the choice of using clear text, a GMO a symbol, or a digital link like the QR code. It’s assumed by consumer advocates that companies will choose to use the QR code, forcing consumers to be both vigilant and technologically savvy, which they say is not likely for people on lower incomes.

Professor Laura Murphy is the director of the Environmental & Natural Resources Law Clinic at Vermont Law School. She says,

If Congress were really interested in providing consumers with information, it could have adopted Vermont’s on-package label that companies are already using across the country. Instead, Congress created a mechanism for companies to hide behind QR codes and trample on state efforts to provide their citizens with actual information. As if this weren’t bad enough, the federal law has a confusing definition of ‘bioengineering’ that gives USDA the authority to determine how much of a product needs to be bioengineered before a label is required, and prevents even the food companies from certain types of disclosure.” – ER News

Conclusion

With Bayer merging with  Monsanto, the TPP deal, globalization, and industry monopolization, It’s time to grow your own food! Don’t buy processed food. Stick to the produce and bulk sections. When GMOs can’t be avoided, take high-quality probiotics daily.

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Are You Taking a Drug That May Cause Alzheimer’s?

A study was published in 2015 that clearly linked anticholinergic drugs with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Many of these drugs are taken by countless Americans on a daily basis. Are you taking one or more of these drugs? Do you realize the risk? If you take one of these drugs on a daily basis for 3 or more years, your risk of dementia will increase by more than 50%!

We should only have to listen to the litany of side effects and contraindications to know that most, if not all, of today’s pharmaceuticals are dangerous. Yet somehow, most of us have been brainwashed into ignoring these warnings, always believing in the overarching promise that the FDA will not allow drugs on the market that can hurt us – even when the pharmaceutical ads say otherwise. When that overconfidence is not the reason we ignore the warnings, perhaps it is the lure of playing Russian roulette. Surely we won’t be among the ones who die, suffer a stroke, or experience some other heinous side-effect.

Since we have been conditioned to ignore warnings, both verbal and in print, will we also ignore a study that reveals a horrific outcome for a large collection of drugs? Will we ignore the findings that link these drugs to irreversible dementia? Or will we listen?

What is Dementia?

Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is a set of symptoms – cognitive impairments involving memory, reasoning and judgment, focus and attention, communication and language, and/or visual perception. Dementia is present when at lease two of these symptoms are severe enough to cause significant impairment in activities of daily living.

Alzheimer’s, an irreversible and progressive disease, accounts for the vast majority of dementia patients. Many studies have suggested a link between anticholinergic drugs and dementia. A recent longitudinal study showed a significant link between these drugs and dementia with the vast majority (79%) of dementia patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

What Are Anticholinergic Drugs?

Anticholinergic drugs block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. These drugs are used to treat many diseases and disorders including sleep disorders, depression, muscle cramps, insomnia, allergies, asthma, incontinence, gastrointestinal cramps, motion sickness, vertigo, hypertension, Parkinson’s, psychosis, and COPD.

Some of these drugs are commonly sold over the counter like Benedryl, Advil PM, Tylenol PM, and Motrin PM. And many people take these drugs on a daily basis. The study not only showed a significant link between these drugs and Alzheimer’s, it showed a dose response – meaning that the longer you take these drugs, the more likely Alzheimer’s will be the result. The following statistics reveal the effects of these drugs taken daily compared to those who did not use these drugs:

  • 3-12 months – 19% increased risk for Alzheimer’s
  • 1-3 years – 23% increased risk for Alzheimer’s
  • 3-7 years – 54% increased risk for Alzheimer’s

A Comprehensive List of Anticholinergic Drugs

Aging Brain Care has created a detailed list of anticholinergic drugs, with both generic and brand names. In the notes, it says, “Each definite anticholinergic may increase the risk of cognitive impairment by 46% over 6 years.” So before you take that daily dose of medication, check to be sure the drug you are taking is not one of the 99 medications listed on the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale. Or better yet, reclaim your health and get off medications altogether. It’s easier than you think.

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7 Days of Meatless Meals the Whole Family Can Agree On

I get asked often why I chose to switch to an ovo-vegetarian diet. The ever present questions,“What do you eat?” and “Where do you get your protein?” typically come in a condescending tone paired with a scrunched face of disapproval or disgust. This took me by surprise at first, but after years of the same questions, I have come to laugh at the common misconceptions and use them as a chance to explain the morality of the decision for me, the reality of proteins available, and the array of health benefits.

After the initial seemingly startling news that my home is meatless, the second round of statements are something like, “Oh I could never do that. I love meat too much,” or “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

I can’t argue with anyone’s choice to eat as they please, but I can help to refute some common misconceptions about a vegetarian diet lacking in both protein and the essential micro-nutrients we all need.  I’ll do that below by giving 7 examples of vegetarian meals that will feed the whole family and are jam packed with the essentials for a healthy, happy, hearty meal.

Before addressing meals, though, I find it necessary to address the common misconception that a vegetarian diet is lacking in protein. A huge contributor to the idea that meat is the primary source of protein is the food pyramid. We are exposed to the food pyramid at a very young age and it continues to be pressed from grade school through high school. It is also pushed heavily by the dairy and meat industries by way of media, television, radio, etc. While watching your evening television show, try counting how many times you see a commercial talking about the food pyramid, meat, or dairy. It will surprise you.

The reality is that through these ideals, two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has grown exponentially in the last 30 years. Not only have the obesity rates risen, so have diseases like osteoporosis. This is due to the hydrochloric acids needed to digest meat. To neutralize these acids, our bodies use our internal source of calcium. In fact, a study published in the Medical Tribune by Michigan State (found in the book, Diet For New America), showed that female vegetarians averaged 18% bone loss while their meat-eating counterparts averaged 35% bone loss leading to osteoporosis.

What many people don’t realize is that there is protein in many of our other food groups. Foods in the legume family are a great example. Green peas contain 7.9 grams of protein per cup, taste great, and can be used in a variety of different meals. Quinoa is a grain that contains 8 grams of protein per cup. Beans are another huge protein source. Just two cups of kidney beans contain about 30 grams of protein — more than a Big Mac at McDonald’s, which has about 25 grams. Even a cup of chopped broccoli contains 8.1 grams of protein.

These are just a few examples of protein-rich foods that are healthy and taste great. Outside of those factors, our bodies digest a vegetarian/vegan diet faster than one with fat, heavy meats. With a vegetarian/vegan diet, we feel fuller faster, and overeating is less likely to occur.

The USDA nutrition database states that the average vegan male needs 63 grams of protein a day, and the average female, 53 grams per day, a quota easily met when nearly all vegetables, grains, seeds, beans, and nuts contain protein. Now that we have a better understanding of some of the key misconceptions let’s get cooking! Here are 7 meals that are protein heavy, delicious and sure to be a hit with the family.

broccoli slaw stir fry

  1. Broccoli Slaw Stir Fry – 24 grams of protein

Great for a busy night when there isn’t much time to prep dinner. Takes about 15 minutes to prepare and is high in protein, fiber, and vitamin C.

  1. Squash and Quinoa ChiliSquash and Quinoa Chili – 23 grams of protein

Not only is it a great source of protein, but this meal provides a whopping 60% of your fiber intake as well. A base of butternut squash, quinoa, and kidney beans that can be prepared in just an hour! Great for those winter evenings in or to freeze for lunches.

  1. simple black bean burgersSimple Black Bean Burgers – 22 grams of protein

With just canned beans, eggs, and some bread crumbs, you can create a summer favorite. Add some sweet potato fries and the kids won’t be the wiser.

  1. vegetarian tacosTacos – 18g and up

This is a simple switch from the typical tacos you would make at home. Substitute black beans  or a soy substitute (my favorite is soyrizo) for the meat.

  1. sweet-potato-pizzaSweet Potato Pizza – 22.2 grams of protein

A great twist on a traditional pie that the kids can have fun helping decorate. A great way to make eating their vegetables more fun.

  1. stuffed bell peppersStuffed Bell Peppers – 18 grams of protein

A colorful addition to any dinner table. Prep for this dish takes some time, but if you are having family over and want to impress, this is one of the dishes I would go for. Always a hit with my family.

  1. Vegetarian EnchiladasVegetarian Enchiladas – 34.9 grams of protein

Another example of a great, well-known dish that can be slightly tweaked using beans. Jackfruit is a great alternative as well, which makes for a fantastic vegetarian dish that everyone can enjoy.

There you have it! The recipes vary with portions, size, and desired additions as far as protein and other nutritional content, but you get the idea. There are so many possibilities! A week’s worth of meatless meals to get you started on your journey to a new lifestyle if you so choose. And the next time you discover someone you know is a vegetarian, you will have a better idea behind the health reasons and the simplicity of the choice!

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Drinking Alcohol with Health and Sustainability in Mind

Discussions about organic foods are rarely followed with discussions about organic drinks. Since alcohol is generally considered to be bad, few are trying to make it healthier and safer for the planet.

Liquor production and distribution can contribute to air, water, and soil pollution and add to climate change. Lately, there has been talk about sustainable alcohol production, and some of the major players have turned to organic manufacturing, packing, and distribution.

Organic liquors have health benefits that were not attributed to their non-organic counterparts. If you want to choose organic drinks over ones burdened with chemicals and poor production practices, here are a few whys and hows.

Know What You Are Getting

It is important to know all the benefits of organic drinks, as well as their advantages over the conventionally produced ones. Really, the simplest way to cross over to the “green” side is to find out all the dreadful ingredients in non-organic production.

Potassium metasulfite and sodium metasulfite are artificially added to beer and wine. They  cause allergic reactions in 4 percent of the people who drink them, and for people with asthma, inhaling them can actually be deadly.

BHA, a preservative added to conventionally produced beers, is not only an endocrine disruptor, it is also a possible carcinogen. Other scary ingredients that can be found in alcoholic beverages are genetically engineered corn, fish bladder, and gelatin.

On the opposite side of the “battlefield,” organic drinks contain only natural ingredients and carry significant health benefits. Organic beer, for instance, enables better digestion because of the lack of toxic ingredients. For the same reason, it allows your body to absorb more nutrients. It is a great source of vitamin B6, flavanoids, and citrin.

“Green” wine allows you to soak in even more health perks, such as lowering bad cholesterol and raising the good one, regulating blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of blood clotting, reducing cancer risk, fighting infections, boosting brain power, and aiding in weight loss efforts.

Be Sure You Have Chosen Organic

There is no way to determine whether or not alcohol is organic without carefully checking the label for artificial ingredients. However, know that some brands in the alcohol industry do not disclose all of their ingredients, excusing this omission with proprietary claims. Try to find additional information online, and if you see any added flavors or dyes, look further.

Shop Locally

Although some large alcohol manufacturers have switched to organic produce, earn some extra environmental points by finding a local winery or brewery. You will not only be going green by eliminating transport and its negative effects on the environment,  you will be doing your community a favor by supporting local industry and commerce.

Look for Sustainable Packaging

Did you know that a large portion of domestic waste (between a quarter and a third) consists of packaging? This is why it is important to choose your drinks responsibly, not only based on their ingredients, but also on their packaging. Aluminum containers and glass bottles are mostly recyclable, with the exception of some beer cans with potentially dangerous BPA lining. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, opt for boxed wines and tetra packs, and avoid plastic and mixed-material bottles. Remember that aluminum and BPA are not good for your health.

Conclusion

As you see, there is an enormous difference between non-organic and organic red wine, beer, and liquor in general. Being aware of all of these benefits gives the term “drinking responsibly” an additional meaning – choosing drinks made exclusively of natural ingredients and produced and transported in a way that minimizes environmental impact.

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GMO Labeling Bill Passes Senate – Did Whole Foods Sell Us Out?

On Thursday, July 7th, the senate voted 63-30 to approved a bipartisan compromise bill for a federal labeling of food made with genetically modified organisms. The bill is moving to the House of Representatives next.

Proponents of the bill say the law will be good for consumers, allowing shoppers to know what they’re getting, and the bill will provide a national standard for labeling.

There are three labeling options. Companies can label the food product as genetically modified or they can use a symbol that denotes GMOs, an on-pack symbol, the bar code, or the unreadable QR product code. When companies choose to label only through the QR code (and we guess that’s what most will do), the customer is expected to scan the barcode with their smartphones or call an 800 number.

Critics are quick to point out that this law will wipe out existing labeling laws like Vermont’s current legislation that does require clear and conscious GMO labeling. Also, this bill could exempt certain genetically modified foods from any kind of GMO labeling.

Proponents of labeling insisted that nothing short of text on packages would do. Some, including Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and erstwhile presidential candidate, also raised concerns over the definition in the bill for determining which foods would require labels, a sign that if the bill becomes law, legal challenges will almost certainly follow.” – New York Times

For example, if a biotech product is genetically engineered with items ‘found in nature,’ (such as bacteria), then it can be passed as a natural food product. Other GMOs, which cannot yet be detected by current technology, would also pass as whole foods under the new law. This would include foods made with non in vitro recombinant DNA techniques.” – Natural News

The USDA Secretary would also have the power to determine what concentration of GMO ingredients would fall under the labeling law, so it’s not unlikely consumers may ingest GMOs even after verifying that the QR bar Code says no GMO.

Even if the customer has a phone and a QR bar code app, and wants to take the time to scan the product, more often than not, cell phones don’t work at all or the internet is extremely slow inside a grocery store. Some grocery stores don’t even allow cell phones (This is true for Dekalb Farmer’s Market in Decatur Georgia. Be sure to check them out if you haven’t).

The law will not go into effect for two years if it does make it all the way to be signed into law. Consumers will have to wait, and no other states will be able to legislate labeling in the meantime.

Is Whole Foods in Cahoots With Monsanto?

Walter Robb, the CEO of Whole Foods backs the new bill, saying:

The alternative is that Vermont goes into effect and then there’s a number of other states behind that, it makes it difficult for manufacturers to be able to label and label to that different standard…

And I think the way she’s put the bill together, which is to give manufacturers choices, is I think the marketplace and the customers will take it from here… so obviously, I think she’s done a great piece of work… we are already are out there further with our commitment to full transparency by 2018. We’re not gonna… we’re looking at how these two live with each other, but we’re already past that, but I think in this day and age, to come together, to create some sort of a reasonable standard that manufacturers can… and gives the customer a lot more information is a pretty good thing.”

Whole Foods backed the bill. As Walter made clear, Whole Foods is looking out for their food manufacturers first and foremost. Whole Foods has helped champion the idea of food transparency, but the company would not get behind previous, more conscious legislation to label GMO foods. This bill’s ambiguous text leaves a lot to be interpreted, and it is clear this is a bill written by the food companies in an attempt to appease the public without actually affecting GMO sales.

Conclusion

If the bill passes into law, is it a step in the right direction? Maybe. It depends on how the legislation plays out. The bill, as it is now, leaves so much up for interpretation. The harder the public pushes for transparency, the more likely the bill will get better for consumers along the way, or get replaced by something better. Regardless, the best way to avoid GMOs is to avoid buying processed, manufactured food. Stick to the produce section in grocery stores (whole produce GMOs are very rare), visit your local farmer’s markets and get to know the farmers (not the guys who buy food from distributors and pretend to be farmers, get to know the actual farmers). And grow your own food! It’ll be interesting to see what happens with labeling whole produce if the bill passes and more foods do get genetically modified.

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CDC Alert: Candida Auris – Our Latest Superbug Creation

Fungal infections caused by Candida are the most common type of fungal infections in the world. Fiercely opportunistic, Candida is a part of everyone’s intestinal flora. It doesn’t actually cause problems unless it takes over and crowds out the good bacteria. Then it causes numerous health issues. Four different species of Candida make up the majority of fungal infections in the United States: Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, and Candida parapsilosis. If you catch them early, most of these Candida infections can be taken care of with an adjustment in diet.

A Possible Scenario

The conventional medical treatment for Candida involves pharmaceuticals. Somewhat effective in killing Candida, these drugs also kill other microbes in the intestinal tract and leave you without enough beneficial bacteria to fight off other new infections.

The Center for Disease Control has issued a clinical alert to U.S. healthcare facilities asking them to be on the lookout for one such infection associated with high mortality, a resilient species of yeast called Candida auris that has shown resistance to three major classes of antifungals.

The New, Interesting Fun Guy on the Block

Identified in 10 countries worldwide, including the U.S, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, Candida auris causes invasive infections in the ear, bloodstream, and wounds. It has also shown up in the respiratory tract and in urine tests.

It may be underreported. Advanced testing facilities are needed to isolate and confirm Candida auris since it closely resembles other species of Candida. There’s speculation that Candida auris is not a new species as much as it is a result of the medical community’s unintentional and highly successful super-bacteria and fungus breeding program.

The Hospital is a Petri Dish

So why the clinical alert from the CDC, as opposed to a general notice? Tests of Candida auris outbreaks in healthcare facilities in other countries have been very closely related genetically, suggesting that the healthcare facilities are where the fungus is developing and thriving. 

pathogen memeConsider the sad irony. The fungal and bacterial pathogens that pose the most risk to us are the result of the healthcare and farm industries.

The origin of the average yeast infection isn’t a mystery, as Candida exists in everyone’s personal microbes. But the evolution of a common garden variety microbe into a species associated with a high mortality rate gets a boost from the lack of competition and the survive and thrive environment of a hospital. Go to the hospital for a yeast infection, take medication and wipe it out (along with a lot of your beneficial microbes), and you might pick up something new while you are even less equipped to fight pathogens. Convenient, no?

Are We Prepared for What’s Next?

There was one confirmed case of Candida auris in the U.S. in 2013 (although due to the lack of definitive testing, that number is likely to be higher). Sure that’s one case. But if only one confirmed case in the United States is enough for the CDC to issue a clinical alert, what does that say about this particular infection?

Bacteria and fungi are becoming increasingly resistant to drug therapy and last resort medications, and it stands to reason that the evolution of parasites and other microbes will follow close behind. In the twenty years since the first identification of Candida auris, the fungus is rapidly burning a hole through standard treatments. It’s past time to stop making drug therapy the first response. If the symptoms of these conditions continue to be merely managed and repeat infections are treated rather than addressing their causes with real change and education, everyone will be affected, not just the people who have to check into the hospital.

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