One More Reason to Love Chocolate (Recipe Included)

I am feeling fabulous. Lounging in a jazz bar like a sophisticated cat, I am tasting all the flavors of the finest chocolate: orange, mint, cinnamon. I wonder which one is the most delicious and will delight my senses more. Let’s see…

Mint…mmm… It awakens my senses like a fresh morning breeze, reanimates my spirit, and puts me into a dynamic mood. The Antics said it aroused lustful feelings and in combination with chocolate it’s certainly true.

Let’s go on. Orange! My favorite! It embodies the sun, it’s a condensation of energy and information, and when it gets inside us it shines and radiates all its healing power concentrated in the form of vitamin C, a wonder that makes your skin glow. So let us shine, I say!

It’s difficult to get past the luscious and vibrant sensation of orange in my mouth so I taste a little more, this time with a little cinnamon added. Exquisite flavor, especially for this time of the year. Cinnamon, the spice from which Phoenix builds its nest. It was used in many early remedies such as Royal Unguent. To the Chinese, it was a panacea. In Medieval Europe, it was considered to be an aphrodisiac. Ooh, and if you combine that with the raw feminine energy of the chocolate, you do feel like a goddess.

Of course, you already knew that the Greek name for cocoa means “food of the gods.” So the whole idea that “chocolate is bad for you” is a misconception (probably a carryover from the Middle Ages when pleasure was considered a sin). It’s healthy. It’s divine. It’s a gift from gods. It is even used by shamans for magical ceremonies. Wow !

The idea is that when you buy chocolate, please make sure that the cocoa content is as high as possible (min.75%), and that it doesn’t contain that nasty hydrogenated vegetable fat that spoils our beloved chocolate. Because chocolate can and should be healthy. It can be raw, it can be vegan, it can be a superfood.

So if you want to get all the benefits, taste the flavors I did, and feel fabulous, you have two options.

The first is to make it yourself. My favorite recipe is invented by me and it goes something like this:

Mix in a bowl…

  • 4-5 spoons of cocoa
  • 1-2 spoons of coconut oil,
  • 1 spoon of raw honey
  • one handful of crushed raw (unpasteurized) almonds, or chopped mint leaves, or orange peel with a hint of cinnamon.

Pour it into heart shaped forms and refrigerate for one hour. And here you go! Lovely, healthy chocolate for you to enjoy together with your loved ones.

Of course, if you don`t have time, the second option is to buy. The guys from Raw Chocolate Love have an amazing, healthy chocolate – all the flavors I tasted and more. Handmade, raw, dairy-free, guilt-free and made with love (vitamin L). I whole-heartedly recommend.

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Why Anti-Vaxxers Don’t Vaccinate

These days, the media and the general public label anyone who questions the overblown, profit-driven vaccine program as an “anti-vaxxer,” a label synonymous with “anti-science.” Many, if not most, of the people who have questioned the safety and efficacy of vaccines attest that they themselves are not “anti-vaccine” at all. They want vaccines cleaned up and a vaccine schedule that makes sense.

We at Organic Lifestyle Magazine are in fact fully in the anti-vaccine corner. We are “anti-vaxxers” and we are proud of the label. At the time this article was written, everyone that works at OLM chooses not to vaccinate. Why do we choose not to vaccinate? For many of the same reasons others don’t vaccinate. But it’s not due to just one reason, or even just a few. If you’re on the fence about vaccinating, or if for any reason you’re looking for information regarding reasons one should rethink immunizations, then this article was written for you.

The bottom line is we do not trust vaccine companies with our health any more than we trust any other profit driven corporation with our health. We know how corrupt the government is in every other way, and we know that extends to vaccines as well. We see, just by looking at the ingredients, that every single vaccine contains toxins and many contain DNA disrupting viruses.

Recommended: How To Heal Your Gut

We know that vaccines rarely, if ever, deserve the credit they get for eliminating disease. We believe every vaccination causes vaccine damage. Toxic chemicals cause damage; it’s that simple. But even if we discovered that we were wrong, and/or vaccines were suddenly made to be much safer and proven to be truly effective, there is still a reason why we would not, will not vaccinate.

Vaccines are produced by large corporations that are so profit driven they are perfectly willing to cut corners at the expense of people’s lives. They will harm children, infants, anyone, and sweep it all under the rug. We have seen this. We’re not talking about unproven conspiracy theories. We’re not talking about just a handful of incidences either. The vaccine industry has proven itself to be corrupt, time and time again.

We do our best to boycott companies that prove themselves to be unethical. But more importantly, if we’re going to trust someone to inject something directly into our blood, we absolutely need to completely trust the product and the people making it. When the products are not ethically and precisely produced, the results are catastrophic.

Related: How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg-52mHIjhs

This video above is one of countless examples of pharmaceutical corruption. There are so many. Do you really want to trust a company with your life that would do something like this?

Still not convinced?

Maurice Hilleman, PhD

Maurice Hilleman, PhD was a microbiologist, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Science, the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. He received the National Medal of Science and a special lifetime achievement award from the World Health Organization (along with other awards) after developing more vaccines than any other scientist (more than forty), including the vaccine for mumps, measles, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox, meningitis, rubella, and pneumonia.

Dr. Hilleman headed Merck’s vaccine program. Due to mandatory retirement, he left his position as a senior vice president of Merck Research Labs at age 65 to direct the new Merck Institute for Vaccinology and serve as an advisor to public health organizations, including the World Health Organization. He died at age 85.

This is but a small token of the accolades for Dr. Hilleman, but the cited information should suffice in establishing his credibility. It seems whenever the safety or efficacy of vaccines is questioned, the first knee-jerk reaction is to discredit the source.

Dr. Hilleman, in an interview with PBS, revealed that back in the 1950s, there were “forty something viruses” in vaccines that they were inactivating. As an example, he said, “Yellow fever vaccine had leukemia virus in it.”

SV40 and the Cancer Connection

He recounted a conversation he had about the simian virus, SV40, that he found in his good friend’s, Albert Sabin’ s, live-virus polio vaccine. When Sabin asked why he was concerned about it, Hilleman said,

…I have a feeling in my bones that this virus is different. I don’t know why, to tell you this, but I’ve been around biology a long time. I just think this virus may have some long-term effects.”

When Sabin asked him what he thought the long-term effects might be, Hilleman said, “Cancer.”

Hilleman’s team injected hamsters with the virus.

…We knew it was in our seed stock for making vaccines. That virus, you see, is 1 in 10,000 particles, [it] is not inactivated by formaldehyde. It was good science at the time because that was what you did. You didn’t worry about these wild viruses.

So then, the next thing we know is, three or four weeks after that, there were tumors popping out in these hamsters.”

Conservative estimates determine 30 million Americans and hundreds of millions more around the globe received a vaccine contaminated with SV40. Both the Sabin and the Salk polio vaccines were contaminated, as were different adenovirus vaccines used with the U.S. military in the first half of the 1960s.

Today, decades later, SV40 has been found in many kinds of human cancers including cancer of the lung, brain, bone, and lymphatic system. Whether the virus causes cancer in humans has been a matter of debate.

Many who are pro-vaccine will search just long enough to find a source that discounts this possibility (such as Wikipedia). Many such sources are easy to find. Dig a little deeper and you will find current peer-reviewed sources that say the opposite.

Persuasive evidence now indicates that SV40 is causing infections in humans today and represents an emerging pathogen. A meta-analysis of molecular, pathological, and clinical data from 1,793 cancer patients indicates that there is a significant excess risk of SV40 associated with human primary brain cancers, primary bone cancers, malignant mesothelioma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Experimental data strongly suggest that SV40 may be functionally important in the development of some of those human malignancies.”

So we now know that SV40, “a potent DNA tumor virus,” is associated with our cancer epidemic that afflicts 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women.

We have learned this information through the revelation of Dr. Hilleman, a renowned scientist who is now deceased, and today’s research scientists. In his interview, Hilleman stated that there was no press release to inform the public about the SV40 contamination because it was “…a scientific affair within the scientific community.” The scientific community closed ranks to protect both the pharmaceutical companies and the vaccine program.

Judy Mikovits, PhD

Fast forward to today. The vaccine program is a multibillion-dollar industry under attack by concerned citizens due to the rise of autism and other neurological impairments they believe are caused by vaccines. No longer dependent upon the press for information, concerned parents and advocates for change communicate via the Internet.

Another internationally known scientist, one with a previously flawless reputation, a “rock star among her peers”, Dr. Judy Mikovits, stepped forward. Mikovits, a molecular biologist and biochemist with more than 30 years experience served as the director of the lab of Antiviral Drug Mechanisms at the National Cancer Institute before directing the Cancer Biology program at EpiGenX Pharmaceuticals. She later developed the first neuroimmune institute. Her early work focused on cancer and HIV, her later work focused on chronic fatigue syndrome and autism. She has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles.

Related: Vaccines, Retroviruses, DNA, and the Discovery That Destroyed Judy Mikovits’ Career

https://player.vimeo.com/video/146831570

Retrovirus Autism Connection

In 2011, she came forward with the discovery that at least 30% of our vaccines are contaminated with a retrovirus, one associated with autism and chronic fatigue syndrome. But that’s not all. The virus is also associated with Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Alzheimer’s. This retrovirus comes from lab mice.

Mikovits was threatened and told to destroy her data. She refused. She was fired and later arrested for stealing her data, an act she denies. Years later, charges were finally dropped and the 4-year gag order imposed by the court was lifted. Now Mikovits is speaking out. She asks,

How many new retroviruses have we created through all the mouse research, the vaccine research, gene therapy research? More importantly, how many new diseases have we created?”

And she says,

When they destroyed all of our work, and discredited everything I or Frank Ruscetti had ever published, and arranged for the publication of my mug shot in Science, the NIH very deliberately sent the message to researchers everywhere about what would happen to any honest scientist who dared ask those important questions.”

You can do a search for Judy Mikovits on the Internet and easily find that she lost her job, was arrested, and discredited. The question is why. The answer? Because she dared to come forward and tell the public that vaccines are associated with autism and other diseases. And because she is telling us that the labs are responsible for the contamination, the reason for the association.

If you are pro-vaccine, know that you believe in the promise that we have been given, that vaccines are safe and effective. When you seek out and find a source to confirm this belief, what is that source? Is it the pharmaceutical industry? Is it someone who receives funding from the pharmaceutical industry?

Why Big Pharma Will Hide the Truth

anti-vax memeIf the pharmaceutical industry admits their contaminated vaccines are implicated in millions of cases of cancer and if clear, conclusive evidence proves the link between vaccines and the devastating rise in autism, what would be the result? How many victims and parents of victims will demand compensation? How many will refuse vaccines, deciding that the risks outweigh the benefits?

Instead of taking that risk, pharmaceutical companies will continue to protect their corporate interests. Doctors with enough clout or with evidence that is highly damaging to the industry will be silenced or discredited. Mainstream media will be controlled through coercion (pharmaceutical companies control media through advertising dollars – huge budgets the news outlets depend on for revenue). The media will continue to be used to promote fear, stirring up the ludicrous belief that unvaccinated children pose a risk for vaccinated children.

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)

The ever-growing threat to the vaccine program has taken a new turn with mandated vaccinations. The federal government is now considering a federal law to force parents to vaccine their children regardless of their beliefs or concerns about toxic, contaminated vaccines. The federal government has already eliminated a parent or an adult victim’s ability to sue pharmaceutical companies for damages from vaccines. Our right to sue has been replaced with adjudication through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), regularly called vaccine court. Financial compensation is entirely derived from taxes placed on vaccines.

A document from the Health and Human Resources Department about VICP compensations clearly shows the current level of deception our government is using to assuage fears of vaccinations and support any and all questions from wavering pro-vaccine citizens. The document opens with these words:

The United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history. In the majority of cases, vaccines cause no side effects, however they can occur, as with any medication—but most are mild. Very rarely, people experience more serious side effects, like allergic reactions.

In those instances, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) allows individuals to file a claim for financial compensation.”

This makes it sound like claims are being made for allergic reactions, not for neurological damage, for autism, paralysis, death, or any number of other outcomes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueKVez4W54g

MMR II Adverse Reactions

Compare the benign statement from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program suggesting allergies are the adverse reactions causing concern to the actual adverse reactions listed in the insert from the MMR II or the following information extrapolated from the insert.

If you are still not convinced that injecting mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum, polysorbate 80…

“While Merck, the MMR II manufacturer, does not list autism as one of the possible side effects of this vaccine, it does list many other serious, adverse reactions. This list includes meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, diabetes, decreased blood platelets, convulsions, seizures, arthritis, bronchial spasm (asthmatic reaction), pneumonia, anaphylactic shock, and death. The list also includes many severe illnesses/reactions that are not commonly recognized or understood by the general public. These include:

  • Pneumonitis – inflammation of the lungs
  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) – a severe, life-threatening disease in which the body attacks the nervous system causing paralysis.
  • Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) – a rare, fatal neurological disease
  • Encephalopathy – abnormal brain function that may denote structural damage
  • Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) – a post infection or post vaccine inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. (Attacks brain tissues and nerves).
  • Transverse myelitis – an inflammatory disease of the spinal cord that causes weakness and loss of sensation and it affects the autonomic nervous system (breathing, the heart, digestion, reflexes).
  • Ataxia – lack of control of muscles suggesting brain and nerve damage.
  • Polyneuritis – weakness, numbness and pain – nerve damage
  • Polyneuropathy – damage to nerves causing tingling and pain that may begin in the hands and feet and spread to other parts of the body and may affect the autonomic nervous system
  • Ocular palsies – Damage to the nerves of the eye affecting eye movements, pupil constriction, and eyelid movement often resulting in an inability to focus without double vision.
  • Panniculitis – inflammation of the fat layer and connective tissue just under the skin
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome – following a painful rash, the top layer of skin blisters, dies, and sheds.
  • Erythema multiforme – skin reaction similar to Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
  • Nerve deafness – hearing loss and dysfunction.
  • Retinitis – damage to the retina causing damage to vision.
  • Optic neuritis – inflammation of the optic nerve, which can cause temporary blindness.
  • Papillitis – Inflammation of the optic nerve head
  • Epididymitis – Inflammation of the tube at the back of the testicle.
  • Orchitis – inflammation of the testicles.

Of course, less serious reactions also occur including fever, vomiting, swollen glands, diarrhea, rashes, pain and swelling of the injection site, and contracting measles, mumps, or rubella from the vaccine.” (For more on the MMR II see our full article, The MMR Vaccine – A Comprehensive Overview of the Potential Dangers and Effectiveness.)

Face the Truth

For far too many, simple statements made by the government such as “Very rarely, people experience more serious side effects, like allergic reactions.” obfuscate the truth. And then, any claims that vaccines cause autism or other serious side effects are swept aside with, “At least 250 studies have proven there is no link between autism and vaccines.”

Those who still believe our vaccines are safe and effective are ignoring these truths:

  • The inserts show very real and very serious risks associated with vaccination including possible death.
  • Pharmaceutical companies are not benevolent or trustworthy.
    • Big pharmaceutical companies have been fined billions for illegal activities. The top 6 are:
      • GlaxoSmithKline PLC, fined 7.56 billion for 20 settlements
      • Pfizer Inc., fined 2.96 billion for 15 settlements
      • Johnson & Johnson, fined 2.33 billion for 14 settlements
      • Merck & Co. Inc., fined 1.86 billion, for 27 settlements
      • Abbott Laboratories, fined 1.82 billion for 12 settlements
      • Eli Lilly & Co., fined 1.71 billion for 13 settlements
    • Two former Merck scientists, whistleblowers, contend that Merck “fraudulently misled the government and omitted, concealed, and adulterated material information regarding the efficacy of its mumps vaccine in violation of the FCA [False Claims Act].” Merck stands accused of defrauding the U.S. government in order to procure government vaccine contracts. This, of course, is not the first time they have faced state and/or federal fraud charges.
  • The CDC cannot be trusted to tell the truth in regards to the vaccine/autism connection.
    • A whistleblower has come forth from the CDC in regards to suppressed data regarding a correlation between the MMR vaccine and autism in black male children
    • Pharmaceutical company executives have served as advisory panel members for the CDC.
    • Dr. Julie Gerberding, who headed the CDC from 2002 through 2009, became the new President of Merck’s vaccine division.

If you are still not convinced that injecting mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum, polysorbate 80, and animal or human tissue with whatever viruses they carry into your body or your child’s body is not safe, speak to a parent who knows a vaccine caused their child’s autism. Listen as a mother tells you her healthy, happy, verbal child received a shot, spiked a fever, and disappeared. It only takes hearing the story once to know the truth. When you hear the same story again and again, denial is much harder.

Today, 1 in every 45 children are diagnosed with autism, but how many others are suffering in ways that manifest with other disabilities from ADHD to diabetes, auto-immune disorders and other chronic disorders? With so many toxins in our air, water, and food, injecting more of them directly into the bloodstream is asking for an epidemic. And that’s what we have on our hands, a brain-damaged, vaccine injured society. It is an epidemic, to say the least, and it’s growing rapidly.

Diseases are scary. The idea of dying from a disease that one could be vaccinated for is scary. There are potential risks on both sides. We choose to minimize our risk on this matter in two ways. First, we know that the right nutrition and a truly healthy lifestyle is a better defense against disease than any corporation can concoct in a lab. Second, we choose not to trust companies with our life when those companies have proven they cannot be trusted. It’s that simple.

Disease is a symptom of cellular malfunction. Cells malfunction due to a lack of nutrition and/or toxicity. Health starts in the gut because it’s all about what you put in it. And, the truth is, with a healthy gut, the body can withstand a remarkable toxic load. If you have to vaccinate, if you don’t have a choice, and especially if you have to do multiple shots in a short period of time, we recommend you get your gut as healthy as possible and keep it that way. Eat and drink in a manner that allows you to always be properly detoxing. Check out the three articles below for more information.

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Nourishing Scents for Dismal Winter Months

From hot cocoa to cheery clementines, the winter months are associated with delightful smells. Whether you revel in the pungent aroma of a holiday tree or a sprinkle of cinnamon on a festive dessert, aromatics have a positive effect on wellbeing.

The days are short during the cold months, and that means most of us don’t wrap up the work day in time to have a chance to soak up some sunlight. Less sunlight affects our mood, and the reason goes way beyond the dismal tone of gray days. Serotonin and other feel-good neurochemicals in our bodies are stimulated by natural, full-spectrum light, and without it, sadness, depression, and lassitude can become a problem.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a form of depression that accompanies the change of seasons and can be debilitating. Seasonal Affective Disorder is often dismissed as the “winter blues”, but for many individuals, it is an annual descent into deep melancholy and moodiness. SAD can be treated with light therapy, medication, herbal supplements, and clinical aromatherapy. The latter is a delightful and nourishing tool for self-care during the winter months.

Aromatic medicine is not only ideal for improving mood but also for boosting immunity. Lung-supporting steams, fragrant baths, invigorating showers, cold-soothing chest rubs, and delicious-smelling potpourri take only minutes to create and can make winter an easier passage.

Looking at the scents we most commonly gravitate toward this time of year validates the deeper wisdom of our sense of smell. Here are a few:

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

Balsam fir, the quintessential scent of the Christmas tree, is an uplifting scent that has a wonderful effect on frazzled nerves. Its superpower is the ability to lower excess cortisol in the body and support the adrenals, the body’s stress glands. Balsam fir is the ideal aroma to reach for when exhausted, emotionally spent, fighting a cold or battling the flu, or feeling off kilter from stress. It can be applied to a tissue and inhaled, diluted in unscented lotion or vegetable oil and rubbed on the chest, or added to distilled water in a spray bottle for disinfecting surfaces or clearing the air of unwanted odors. Balsam fir is an uplifting oil that can be inhaled to soften the edge of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and other forms of depression.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao)

Cacao, the euphoric aroma of chocolate, stimulates serotonin and dopamine within seconds, therefore, flooding the brain with feel-good chemicals and inducing a better mood. Cacao is a good scent to reach for when irritability and holiday stress take the joy out of winter festivities. It is also invaluable in helping to ease cravings for chocolate, white-flour carbs, and sugary treats. Inhaling cacao when a craving comes on can reduce the need to grab the nearest cupcake or candy bar.

Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

The scent of artificial cinnamon is often sprayed on pine cones and potpourris during holiday time. These chemical imposters greet shoppers at the market and florist, but the real thing is not only better for your health but a great way to increase energy and fight viruses. Cinnamon bark essential oil is a powerful substance and must be used with caution, but its benefits are worth investing in a little know-how. 1 drop or 2 applied to the soles of the feet can ward off influenza and other nasty illnesses. It can be sprinkled onto dry leaves and pine cones for a spicy potpourri that not only delights the nose but uplifts the mood, increases vitality, and wakes up sluggish minds. When diffused into the air via a nebulizer, cinnamon will kill bacteria, molds, and viruses upon contact. *Caution: Cinnamon can irritate the mucus membranes, so please do not inhale directly or allow it to come in contact with the eyes. Do not apply to any other part of the body, only the soles of the feet. **Tip: cassia is a great substitute for more expensive cinnamon for scenting the home or office.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)

Menthol, the major component of eucalyptus, is most commonly used in chest rubs and cough drops. Its slap-you-in-the-face coolness is excellent for bronchial and sinus congestion, aches and pains, and boosting immunity. Add a few drops in Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt for an invigorating, nourishing bath. For a healing steam that can unblock sinuses, ease colds and flu, and improve the effects of winter depression, add 1-3 drops to a bowl of hot water and inhale with a towel over the head. A drop or two is a wonderful addition to natural potpourri: sprinkle 3 drops of eucalyptus, 5 drops balsam fir or pine needle, and 4 drops of sweet orange oil on dried leaves or pine cones. *Caution: do not use near the face or on the chest in cases of asthma, for menthol can trigger asthmatic attacks in some individuals. Avoid the eyes.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)

Frankincense, most commonly associated with biblical times, is derived from a resilient desert tree that exudes a fragrant resin when the bark is wounded or slashed. The essential oil is supportive to the lungs, endocrine system, and nerves. It is also a wonderful scent to inhale to increase oxygen in the brain and other tissues. Frankincense is a fine oil to use during meditative times to deepen relaxation and spiritual connection. This oil may be blended with lavender, ylang ylang, and myrrh to enhance its nerve-calming abilities. *Tip: Frankincense is one of the most important essential oils in modern clinical aromatherapy and is used for everything from panic disorders to cancer prevention and treatment.

Peppermint (Mentha piperata)

Peppermint is such a part of everyday life, it is easy to forget its deeply medicinal properties. Found in everything from toothpaste to candy canes, this essential oil is useful for every facet of life and health. It is invaluable for digestive woes, especially after eating too rich foods during holiday time. A few drops can be added to a little vegetable oil or unscented lotion and rubbed on the belly for fast relief of gas, bloating, cramping, intestinal distress, and general indigestion. A speck under the tongue can relieve nausea. Add a few drops in Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt for an invigorating, nourishing bath. For a healing steam that can unblock sinuses, ease colds and flu, and improve the effects of winter depression, add 1-3 drops to a bowl of hot water and inhale with a towel over the head. *Caution: do not use near the face or on the chest in cases of asthma, for menthol can trigger asthmatic attacks in some individuals. Avoid the eyes.

Tangerine (Citrus reticulata)

Tangerine, similar to sweet orange essential oil in scent, is a delightful citrus aroma that induces happiness, calm, and hope when inhaled. It is a gentle oil, especially beneficial for irritable children and a lovely addition to bedtime. It is a great pick-me-up when added to household cleaners, room sprays, potpourri, and air fresheners.

Essential oils are the ideal choice for aromatherapeutic inhalation, but if you don’t have any on hand, simply crush an orange peel or pine needles and inhale deeply; brew a pot of tea with a couple of cinnamon sticks and inhale the steam. With a little fragrance, winter and its challenges can be tamed, and life, just a little bit sweeter.

Sources:
  • Multidimensional Aromatherapy: Clinical, Practical, and Vibrational Applications by Marlaina Donato



Foods That Contribute to Diabetes

One of the fastest-growing causes of death in the world, diabetes is especially prevalent in the United States as about 1 in every 11 people has been diagnosed with the condition. Medical costs for treating the disease are considerable, with worldwide costs reaching 548 billion dollars in 2013. The U.S. is responsible for around 35 percent of that figure, but despite that robust amount of spending, the numbers of those with diabetes are still rising. Traditional disease prevention and management strategies focus on being active, watching your weight, and eating healthy with a particular emphasis on avoiding sugar and paying attention to the glycemic index. But sugar isn’t the only villain in the diabetes narrative. Here are some of the other kinds of foods that can aggravate and contribute to your diabetes.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners don’t provide any actual health benefit. Instead, they serve as a way for people with diabetes to get a sugar fix. There are five artificial sweeteners approved for use in the United States: saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, neotame and acesulfame K. While most of these are usually used by and marketed towards those with diabetes or people trying to avoid sugar, there is evidence to suggest that consuming artificial sweeteners, specifically saccharine, disrupts the bacteria in your gut. Gut health is especially important for people with diabetes since changes to the bacteria in the gut have been associated with a disposition towards diabetes. Artificial sweeteners frequently pass through the gastrointestinal tract without being digested, allowing the unaltered particles to wreak havoc directly on intestinal bacteria. If you have sugar cravings, do your gut bacteria a favor and check out healthy sugar alternatives before you reach for the artificial sugar packets.

Fructose & High Fructos Corn Syrup

Fructose occurs naturally in fruits, sugars, bread, and cured meat products. It has also found its way into the majority of pre-packaged foods with high fructose corn syrup and other sugars being routinely added to these products. A small amount of fructose, especially from whole food sources that provide other nutrients and enzymes, in of itself isn’t a bad thing, but problems occur with excessive fructose consumption. Fructose is only processed in the liver. Too much fructose causes insulin resistance in the fatty triglycerides in the membranes surrounding the cells of ourperipheral tissue. The more insulin resistant cells you have, the more likely it is that the levels of insulin in the bloodstream are too high since the insulin has nowhere else to go. This is one of the first steps on the way to diabetes.

Fruit is often seen as the biggest contributor to fructose issues, but fruit in moderation has a multitude of health benefits. It makes more sense to avoid manufactured fructose and eat real food, rather than packages of extra calories with potential health problems. The real problem is high fructose corn syrup. There is a direct correlation between the rise of HFCS use and type 2 diabetes.

Refined and Processed Foods

Refined and processed foods like white rice, most of the commercially available breads, and snack foods contain simple carbohydrates and they have had all of their natural nutrients stripped away. This leaves empty calories and easily digestible sugars, spiking insulin and blood sugar levels. People who consume a steady supply of these foods, rather than whole foods with their nutrients intact like brown rice or steel cut oats, are much more likely to be at risk for type 2 diabetes. Processed foods that contain chemicals to enhance their taste can also trigger inflammation, damage tissue, and cause insulin resistance.

Your Diet is Key to Avoiding and Managing Diabetes

Almost ten percent of the population in the United States has diabetes, and that number is on the rise, with even children and young adults developing the disease at alarming rates. Conventional wisdom touts the importance of diet and exercise as ways to manage the risk of diabetes, but the connection between a society facing a growing diabetes epidemic and a society that offers more packaged and fewer whole food options cannot be ignored. Eating a diet rich in fresh, raw, organic produce (mostly vegetables) and with minimal amounts of unhealthy packaged an artificial foods, can make keep you from joining the ranks of those dealing with diabetes.

Recommended Reading:
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A Burden of Guilt – Learning About Vaccine Dangers the Hard Way

I carry a burden of guilt with me. I will carry this guilt until the day I die. I damaged my children.

I was stupid, arrogant, and naive, and my decision may have caused permanent damage to the children I love with all of my heart.

I thought vaccines were more dangerous than most people realized, but I still thought, overall, they were worth the risk. I was too lazy to do the research. Like an idiot, I blindly trusted my doctor. This belief system was what led me to vaccinate three out of four of my children. My twins are now seven years old. They have not completely recovered from their last round of vaccines.

Both my mom and my brother, Michael, had tried to convince me to refuse vaccines. When that didn’t work, they both advocated spacing out vaccines. I did decide not to adhere to the recommended CDC schedule. We spaced out their shots, but I allowed my children to be fully vaccinated because I was thinking, as so many do, that it’s a bigger risk not to vaccinate.

On their last visit to the pediatrician, my wife wanted to allow the doctor to give them two vaccines just to get them caught up. I agreed. Immediately afterward, they both showed signs of neurological damage. My son began stuttering and my daughter started mumbling. Even today, years later, after feeding them the best food and the best supplementation, they are still not 100%.

I must admit, I didn’t approach my research with an open mind. I was sure that…

Amazingly, even after this experience, I clung to the belief that my children’s sensitivities were the exception and not the rule. I even tried to convince myself that their symptoms were just happenstance and didn’t have anything to do with the vaccines. My brother and my mom knew better. A part of me knew better, too.

I first started working for my brother at Organic Lifestyle Magazine about a year ago. At the time, I, like the majority of Americans, still believed that vaccines were, for the most part, safe and effective. My first articles were about less contentious issues, but eventually, Michael assigned me to a vaccine article.

Michael is completely anti-vaccine. So naturally, I was pretty nervous when he made the assignment. He did his best to assure me that as long as I did real research with an open mind, he would support my work. I didn’t believe him. He even said that if my research proved that some vaccines were safe and effective, he would publish the article.  “Just keep writing like you’ve been writing, and do the research with an open mind like you have been. If you do that, I’ll publish it.” Regardless of what he said, I was still sure Michael would decide my article wasn’t a good fit for the magazine. I half-joked about having a job until I turned in the article. I was sure our brand new working relationship would end badly. I was wrong.

I was, and I still am, pro-science. My brother knew this. He knew that if I were to really, truly dig for the facts, I would see the truth for what it is.

I must admit, I didn’t approach my research with an open mind. I was sure that my pre-conceived notions were accurate, but it didn’t matter. In the end, the only conclusion I could come to was the same conclusion everyone comes to once they actually do the real research – vaccines are a crime against humanity.

Vaccines are the primary reason our nation’s children are so sick. Vaccines are associated with autism, autoimmune diseases, asthma, allergies, chronic inflammation, all the diseases they are said to protect against, and more.

Every single ingredient is toxic. Every single one! I had spent years trying to avoid GMOs and other toxins in my food, and I allowed them to be injected into my children’s bodies! Unless one of my children gets bitten by a rabid animal, I will refuse any and all vaccines. In my mind, the rabies vaccine is acceptable because it is used after exposure to a potentially fatal pathogen.

Don’t fall for the hype. Do your own research. Do real research. It will be easier if you can approach it with an open mind, but if you do real research you’ll see the truth for what it is. The truth is, at the very least, these companies that produce vaccines are greedy, corrupt, unethical, and dangerous. Every ingredient is in fact toxic to the body. Every one. We are foolish to trust these corrupt companies.

It’s been years since my children’s last round of vaccines. Thanks to my brother’s help, my children are much better. A healthy lifestyle and diet combined with proper supplementation has proven to me to be highly effective in detoxifying them. I believe that in time, especially after we are growing all of our own food in the best soil, they will get back to 100%.

I brought these children into the world. It was my job to protect them. My brother tried to share his knowledge about vaccines as soon as he learned I would become a father. He told me to do my own research. I failed miserably at protecting my children simply because I trusted our doctor more than my brother. My mind constantly goes back to “if only I knew then what I know now” about vaccines.

I don’t want anyone else to carry this burden of guilt. This is why we are working so hard to educate the public about vaccines. No child should have to suffer neurological damage simply because their parents didn’t know any better. Information is just a click away. Our children are getting damaged and we see it all around us while we call it the new normal. Think about it. Don’t count on your doctor for this one. Your doctor is very busy, and even if he or she does do real research on vaccines, there is a huge financial incentive for them to keep their mouths shut, which most of them do.

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Corporations, Our Health, and a History of Failed Technologies

Those Who Cannot Remember the Past are Condemned to Repeat It

Humanity has been inventing new technologies since before recorded time; however, not all technologies have proven beneficial. Over the years, there have been many breakthroughs in science, breakthroughs that have also come with unexpected consequences.

DDT

Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane or DDT was first synthesized in 1874, but it wasn’t until 1940 that it came to be used as a pesticide. Paul Muller is the chemist who discovered that DDT was a highly effective insecticide that killed a wide range of insects, including those that spread malaria, plague, thyphus and other diseases. It was inexpensive, persisted in the environment (meaning reapplications were infrequently needed), it was devastating to insect populations, it increased crop yields, and saved lives. It was estimated that in 20 years of use it saved 500 million lives that would have been lost to malaria alone. DDT became a global phenomenon and Muller was awarded the Nobel Prize.

Because of its widespread use, the harmful effects of DDT became impossible to ignore. Although warnings about DDT’s harmful effects came from scientists as early as the 1940s, it wasn’t until Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, published in the 1960s that the public became concerned about its environmental impact.

DDT works by interfering with the nervous system. Girls exposed to DDT before puberty are five times more likely to develop breast cancer later in life. Workers accidentally exposed to DDT have reported prickling sensations in the mouth, nausea, dizziness, confusion, headache, lethargy, poor coordination, fatigue, vomiting, and uncontrollable tremors. As toxic as DDT is to humans, it is far more devastating to wildlife. It became clear that DDT bio accumulates in the bodies of animals and people, and if it were to be continued to be used in the U.S., many species of birds were headed for extinction, including the bald eagle, America’s national emblem. One of the first acts of the Environmental Protection Agency was to ban the use of DDT in the U.S.

Lead and Leaded Additives

Lead is a malleable, corrosion resistant, inexpensive, and easily obtainable dull colored silver-grey metal. Lead is usually extracted from the mineral galena. Lead has been in use since the days of the Roman Empire. Before we began using it, most of the lead was safely tucked away beneath the Earth’s surface, but industrial activities have resulted in drastic increases in the levels of lead that are found in the environment.

Lead has been used in paint, piping, pewter, pottery, insecticides, hair dyes, and as an anti-knocking additive in gasoline. Lead is still used widely in plumbing, and many cities in the U.S. still have 100% lead pipes. Lead is used in ammunition, batteries, cosmetics, pigments, cable sheathing, weights (for lifting), weight belts for diving, some types of glass, and in materials used to protect against radiation. Lead is also used to store corrosive liquids.

Lead is harmful to nearly all forms of life. It is toxic, teratogenic (disrupts the development of an embryo or fetus), and carcinogenic. Very harmful amounts of lead can still be odorless, tasteless, and invisible. Even small amounts of lead can cause a reduction in IQ, and an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, insomnia, fatigue, and many other health conditions. Most scientists agree there is no such thing as a safe level of lead in the human body.

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons, better known as CFCs, were once thought of as a scientific miracle. CFCs are nontoxic (previously utilized refrigerants were very toxic) and nonflammable chemicals comprised of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. CFCs were widely used as refrigerants for freezers, refrigerators, and air conditioners. They were also used in fire extinguishers and aerosol sprays. At their peak, a million metric tons of CFCs were produced annually, with over a billion dollars in sales.

It took a while for the problem with CFCs to be discovered. They seemed to be perfectly safe, after all, CFCs remain stable and inert until they reach the upper atmosphere or stratosphere. Prof. Rowland and Dr. Molina showed that once UV radiation strikes CFCs, a series of chemical reactions begin. Chlorine is released from CFCs. These chlorine atoms destroy ozone in catalytic reactions. A single chlorine atom can have this effect for decades, destroying thousands upon thousands of ozone molecules.

CFCs have settled in high concentrations over over the South Pole. Their reactivity with ozone is dependent upon exposure to UV radiation, and of course, a high degree of exposure happens every spring and summer (September through February for the Southern hemisphere). This hole in the ozone layer is so large that it extends all the way over Antarctica and southern South America. This affects thousands of people. Antarctica has a research-based community, which varies from 1,000-4,000 inhabitants. The South American cities of Ushaia (pop. 60,000), Punta Arenas (pop. 123,000), and Rio Gallegos (pop. 98,000), and the Falkland Islands are all regularly affected by the reoccurring hole in the ozone layer. At times, the hole widens affecting northern population areas including Rio Gallegos, Puerto Santa Cruz, and Rio Grande which affects an additional 200,000 people. Safely going outside in these areas during times of decreased ozone means wearing extensive protective clothing and goggles, or risking skin cancer, cataracts and damaged DNA. Most inhabitants opt for the extensive protective gear.

PCBs

Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are a group of man-made chlorinated organic compounds. They are oily liquids or solids with colors ranging from clear to yellow. PCBs had a number of industrial applications and they were widely used in electrical equipment and as lubricants. Invented by the Swann Chemical Company in 1929, their manufacture was quickly taken over by Monsanto, after Monsanto bought Swann Chemical Company in 1933. Then Monsanto became the sole manufacturer of PCBs until the EPA banned their manufacture in 1979.

PCBs can cause skin lesions that can last years, and it is a probable carcinogen. PCBs can damage the liver, immune system function, and endocrine systems. Internal documents show that Monsanto knew about these harmful effects for decades, but instead of discontinuing their manufacture, Monsanto hired scientists to conduct fraudulent studies. Monsanto doesn’t deny that PCBs have contaminated everyone and everything in the entire planet. Instead they argue that since PCBs are everywhere, there’s nothing to worry about.

Asbestos

Asbestos refers to a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals: actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite. Asbestos is made up of thin fibrous crystals, and these fibers are composed of millions of microscopic fibrils. Asbestos was once in high demand in the Western world due to its remarkable characteristics: Asbestos is an excellent insulator. It doesn’t conduct electricity. It is highly fire resistant. It absorbs sound, is phenomenally durable, flexible, and inexpensive to produce. Asbestos was used in a wide variety of applications from shipbuilding to construction, plastics, textiles, cigarette filters, and many other uses. Despite its known health risks, asbestos is still in high demand in Asia and Africa. Asbestos is banned in 50 countries worldwide, but not in the U.S. and Canada, though both countries now restrict its use. More than two million metric tons of asbestos is produced annually.

Studies have linked more than a dozen different diseases to asbestos exposure including asbestosis and many different types of cancer, especially lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestos-related pleural effusions. According to the World Health Organization, asbestos is still responsible for an estimated 43,000 deaths annually.

Flame-Retardants

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 3,000 Americans died from fires in 2011. There have been many different efforts over the years to reduce the number of deaths by fire in the U.S. Not all of them have been successful.

Substances treated with flame-retardants ignite more slowly than untreated substances, but the difference is minimal. And when these treated substances burn, they produce twice as much smoke, six times as much carbon monoxide, and ninety times more soot. People rarely burn to death in fires. The smoke, soot, and carbon monoxide usually kill them.

The flame retardant chemicals used in furniture, electronics, and textiles are remarkably similar to many pesticides that are used. As a matter of fact, some pesticides and flame-retardants are the exact same chemical. Not all flame-retardants present a serious health risk, but organohalogen and organophosphorous flame-retardants do. DDT is a organohalogen, and like DDT, these chemicals persist in the environment and bio accumulate in the food chain. Flame-retardants have been found in polar bears in the North Pole and in Tasmanian devils in the South Pole. They have been found in animals all over the world. These chemicals have contaminated the entire planet. Unfortunately, they can cause a number of health problems including: cancer, endocrine disruption, hypothyroidism, hyperactivity, reduced IQ, and other neurological impairments. These chemicals are also reproductive toxins in both males and females. Furniture made with these chemicals contains 5% flame-retardants, by weight. Unfortunately they are not bound to treated substances. They off gas as dust in your home and are then ingested through hand to mouth contact. Children and pets are fond to have higher levels of these chemicals in their bodies than adults.

Conclusion

No technology is above reproach. When criticizing technologies new and old, counter arguments are often shrouded in attacks on the individual instead of the critique. All too often we hear accusations like “you’re anti-science!” even when it is the scientific method that has shown these technologies to be flawed. As our technology progresses, so must our understanding of technology. Not all technological advancement is progress. In fact, some technologies cause far more problems than they solve.

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Five Awesome Organic Foods that Pack More Punch than Supplements

Without a doubt, supplements are needed in today’s society. We’re on the go. It’s difficult to get everything our bodies require in a day. Sometimes, no matter how hard we work at it, we’re still deficient in something, and not all of us can afford a personal trainer. Supplements can help provide total wellness though getting these essential nutrients from the food we’re already eating is usually best. Here’s a look at five awesome organics that are loaded with what your body craves, so you can receive the benefits as nature intended.

Kale

Along with spinach, kale often tops the list of healthy greens, though kale is lower in oxalates, so nutrients are absorbed better. For each 100-gram/ 50-calorie portion of kale consumed, you’ll receive:

  • Vitamin C (200% of the RDA)
  • Vitamin A (300% of the RDA)
  • Vitamin K1 (1000% of the RDA)
  • Calcium
  • Copper
  • Magnesium
  • Manganese
  • Potassium
  • Vitamin B6
  • Fiber (2 grams)
  • Protein (3 grams)

Try Kale: People often have an easier time incorporating kale into their diet when it’s in a smoothie. Try mixing it up in a blender with juice and berries.

Garlic

There are more than 200 varieties of garlic, and the cloves are known for containing allicin. Interestingly, it seems to work like a natural defense system for the plant, fighting off fungi. Allicin is a favorite among those who seek natural cures because it’s believed to have antimicrobial and antibiotic properties. It’s been touted as a cure for infections, an aid for acne, and some studies have suggested that it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. On top of this, garlic contains:

  • Calcium
  • Copper
  • Manganese
  • Potassium
  • Selenium
  • Vitamin B1
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin C

Try Garlic: While garlic comes in nearly everything these days, it’s almost always cooked. Freshly chopped garlic can be added to cool pasta or spread on bread with butter, but it tends to flow better when added to fresh-made salsa or guacamole.

Blueberries

Antioxidants are high on the list as to what makes blueberries an awesome organic food. They’ve been linked to everything from cancer prevention to memory enhancement, and they’re 100% tasty. On top of this, blueberries contain all sorts of other things that lead to a healthier body, including:

  • Calcium
  • Folate
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Manganese
  • Phosphorous
  • Potassium
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin K1
  • Zinc
  • Fiber (3.6 grams per cup)

Try Blueberries: A recipe isn’t needed for blueberries because they’re fantastic on their own. However, they can also be tossed on top of cereal or mixed into a smoothie.

Eggs

A single egg can contain more than five grams of protein, making it a staple on tables around the world. Though it was once believed that the cholesterol found in eggs led to high cholesterol in the blood, experts now say that trans fats and saturated fats, which are commonly consumed with eggs, pose a far bigger risk. Considering the whole host of beneficial vitamins and minerals that are found in eggs, they’re worth including in ones’ diet.

  • Biotin
  • Calcium
  • Cephalin
  • Folate
  • Iodine
  • Iron
  • Lecithin
  • Phosphorous
  • Selenium
  • Thiamine
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin B5
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E
  • Zinc

Chocolate

Cocoa and dark chocolate rank high on the list of antioxidant-rich foods. One of the problems is that it’s often diluted and loaded with sugar. Milk chocolate, which is commonly consumed, isn’t as healthful as  dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa content. In addition to the antioxidants, cocoa has:

  • Copper
  • Fiber
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Manganese

Try Cocoa: Organic cocoa powder can be added to a smoothie to make it feel even more like a dessert. Dark chocolate squares can be eaten as-is, or melted over blueberries for a truly decadent treat.

Conclusion

Each of the foods listed here can be incorporated into a diet with ease, as there are versatile and organic varieties found in most modern markets. While their non-organic cousins contain the same nutrients, organic options don’t contain the pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones that a person doesn’t need. Moreover, several of the items detailed here landed on the Environmental Working Group’s list of foods that contain high amounts of pesticides when grown conventionally.

If you don’t have easy access to organic produce, you might consider purchasing yours online through a delivery services such as Organics Live. If they don’t deliver in your area, chances are, someone else does.

Our featured image comes from this Beet Pickled Eggs + Kale Salad recipe.

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