I ran across this very interesting article over at Organic Consumers Association, written by Ronnie Cummins and Will Allen. Please take a few moments to read, and follow the link provided at the bottom of this message to read more, and visit Organic Consumers Association to learn about ways to promote a beautiful and healthy planet Earth. We are each of us equally responsible as stewards on this planet. We do not deserve such beauty and wonders if we take no heed of the preventable damage being done to Mother Earth on a large scale.

“Climate Catastrophe: Surviving the 21st Century” written by Ronnie Cummins and Will Allen

Climate Stabilization Requires a Cultural and Political Revolution

The climate, energy, and political catastrophe we are facing is mind-boggling and frightening. Yet there is still time to save ourselves, to move beyond psychological denial, despair, or false optimism. There is still hope if we are willing to confront the hydra-headed monsters that block our path, and move ahead with a decisive plan of action. The inspirational message we need to deliver is that we’re not just talking about drastically reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution, but rebuilding society, creating in effect a New Woman and a New Man for the 21st Century. What we are witnessing are the early stages of a mass grassroots consciousness-raising and taking back of power from out-of-control corporations, banks, corporate-controlled media, and politicians. This cultural and political revolution will empower us to to carry out a deep and profound retrofitting of industry, government, education, health care, housing, neighborhoods, transportation, food and farming systems, as well as our diets and lifestyles.

The scale of human and physical resources needed to turn our current suicide economy into a green economy is daunting, but absolutely necessary and achievable. The only viable roadmap for survival-an 80-90% reduction in fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050-means we must force a drastic reduction in military spending (current wars and military spending are costing us almost one trillion dollars a year). We must tax the rich and the greenhouse gas polluters, and bring our out-of-control politicians, banks, Federal Reserve System, and corporations to heel.

The good news, as Van Jones and others have pointed out, is that this 21st Century green economy will not only stabilize the climate, but enable us to retrain and reemploy the U.S. workforce, including low-income youth and 16-25 million unemployed workers, as building retrofitters, solar and wind installers, recyclers, organic gardeners, farmers, nutritionists, holistic health care providers, and other green economy workers.

Please visit –> Organic Consumers Association <-- to read more on this very important subject of our Climate and the Environment, and what we face on a Global level today.

When it comes to caring for and feeding our little ones, I will always choose the best quality that I can find. Of course, although this is my top priority, I will look for the best prices as long as it does not compromise the quality of the product. And since I look for Organic products, I am quite pleased to note that PBM Products recently introduced the first nationally distributed, organic infant formula with DHA and ARA produced without pesticides, added growth hormones, and antibiotics. This means that the milk in this organic baby formula comes from cows that are fed organic feed, raised with access to the outdoors, and raised without antibiotics or growth hormones.

I find it interesting to note that PBM recently won a $13.5 million false advertising judgment against Mead Johnson. According to a News release, PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands. PBM’s store-brand infant formulas cost up to 50 percent less than Enfamil® LIPIL®. U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer supported a November 10 jury verdict and in his written ruling permanently enjoined Mead Johnson from making future false advertising claims against PBM and store-brand infant formulas.

“This decision by a jury of the people confirms that Mead Johnson’s ads have been false in suggesting that there is a nutritional difference between our store-brand formula products and their products, when in fact the only major difference is price,” said PBM CEO Paul B. Manning. “Despite Mead Johnson’s scare tactics, parents are assured that PBM’s formula products are as high quality and nutritious as Mead Johnson’s.”

Truth be told, the high cost of baby formula can put quite a dent in our pocketbooks, and we can save hundreds of dollars in a single year, without compromising the quality of our babies nutrition. PBM’s store-brand formulas (including those sold at leading retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, and many others) cost up to 50% less than Enfamil® LIPIL® and allow parents to save as much as $600 per year on their formula purchases. This is certainly nothing to sneeze at!

Personally, as a parent and grandparent, I find this is really great news, and would be happy to pass this along to family and friends!

I will, however, pass along an article written by Alexis Baden-Mayer Organic Consumers Association, June 23, 2009 relating to OCA’s position on the New House Food Safety Bill, for those interested in their take on the matter…

Straight to the Source

There’s been a lot of buzz on the web about the new Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749). Many of our supporters have called or emailed us to find our stance on the issue.

Although the Organic Consumers Association is fairly satisfied that the bill is intended to protect organic farmers from being negatively impacted by new food safety regulations (Sec. 419A directs the USDA to “take into consideration, consistent with ensuring enforceable public health protection, the impact on small-scale and diversified farms, and on wildlife habitat, conservation practices, watershed-protection efforts, and organic production methods”), unfortunately the bill does not address the underlying causes of America’s persistent and evermore serious food safety crisis: factory farms and chemical-intensive agriculture. When addressing the concerns of E.coli or salmonella, the bill focuses on fresh vegetables and fruits rather than CAFOs or intensive confinement factory farms, in effect treating the symptom and not the disease.

A close look at the nation’s food poisoning epidemics over the past decade reveal that the overwhelming majority of fruit and vegetable contamination incidents are a direct result of water and soil pollution from large factory farms. The OCA believes that HR 2749 should be amended to address factory farming:

1. Animals should never be fed blood, manure or slaughterhouse waste.

2. Cows need to eat grass.

3. Animals need to be spread out on enough land to absorb their waste.

4. CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) pose unacceptable risks to human health, such as antibiotic resistance, incubate dangerous viruses and pathogens, such as the Swine Flu and Bird Flu, contaminate the environment, institutionalize animal cruelty, and need to be phased out and shut down.

In addition, we share the concerns of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund and support the amendments suggested by the Maine Organic Farmers And Gardeners Association. We also agree with the Wild Farm Alliance, especially their position paper, Food Safety Requires a Healthy Environment: Policy Recommendations for E. coli O157.

The dangers to food safety of factory farms, also known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations, are well documented by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the National Resources Defense Council and Food & Water Watch.

In addition to factory farm runoff, vegetables can also become contaminated is through the use of untreated animal manure or biosolids (the fertilizer industry’s name for sewage sludge/human waste). Organic regulations ban sewage sludge and have rules for the use of manure that prevent contamination.

Certified organic farmers must maintain a farm plan detailing the methods used to build soil fertility, including the application of manure. Organic rules require raw animal manure to be composted if it is to be applied to land used for a crop intended for human consumption. Well-composted manure reduces the incidence of E. coli. Manure must be applied to the land at least 120 days prior to harvest if the edible part crops come in contact with soil, and at least 90 days prior to harvest of edible parts that do not come into contact with soil. Longer periods can be required by certifiers if soil or other conditions warrant. No other agricultural regulation in the United States imposes such strict control on the use of manure.

For more information on this and other important Organic News you may wish to visit Organic Consumer’s Association.

As I already knew our bodies are animated through Life Force Energy, and our health depends upon what we feed our bodies, as well as that energy in which we gather and store, it was an easy choice to open the following book and soak up the knowledge within… Raw Food Life Force Energy: Enter a Totally New Stratosphere of Weight Loss, Beauty, and Health.

Raw Food Life Force Energy – by Natalia Rose is not your average weight loss type book. I don’t diet, and never have. I like to feed my body that which I believe is naturally good for me, yet even I was shocked at a few eye openers I found within the pages of Natalia’s book!

If you are striving to feel beautiful, healthy, and alive, then I would suggest taking a few moments to learn what Natalia Rose has compiled. She is a top nutritionist, and highly sought after amongst people from all walks of life. Her insights teach us that we can all have a beautiful lean body, youthful radiant skin, abundant energy, and attain a state of natural bliss. The secret is tapping into the ultimate source of well-being-Life Force Energy. If we can properly harness and increase our Life Force Energy through simple dietary and environmental principles, and therefore cleanse and bring our bodies back to their natural, harmonious frequency, we can experience radically improved levels of health, beauty, and happiness.

Rose presents four fundamental energy principles and practical applications, leading us to the best sources of natural energy-such as raw fruits and vegetables, sunlight, and fresh air, to name a few. These principles lay the groundwork for Rose’s comprehensive 21-day program, followed by more than seventy original, mouthwatering recipes that range from healthful cooked fish dishes to raw vegetarian soups, entrees, and desserts to accommodate all levels of raw food energy dieters.

I am quite excited about getting my hands on this book, and although I have not quite finished the program as outlined above, I will be certain to create an updated review as soon as I do! I am already well versed in gathering energy from Nature and the Environment around us, so I am curious to see how my body responds to a positive change from what I feed it. I was actually suprised to find certain foods in which I thought were healthy, are in fact not good for our bodies at all!

I wish any and all who venture on the Path to inner Vitality, Health, and Beauty much luck and good thoughts to help you on your journey. We are all Energy Beings who deserve to live up to our full potential. Happiness will follow, of that I am certain!!

Enjoy each moment,

Teri
~

Washington, D.C. May 5, 2009 – USDA today announced a special three- week sign-up for farmers in the process of converting to organic farming to receive technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a move applauded by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and its grassroots member organizations across the country.

“This was a was a wrong that needed righting, and with today’s announcement USDA is not only setting it right, but doing so in an innovative and farmer-friendly manner,” said Aimee Witteman, NSAC Executive Director. “We thank NRCS and USDA leadership for listening to the concerns of organic farmers and applaud their new initiative.”

For more details on how to sign up between May 11th and May 29th, please visit Organic Consumers Association to get the whole scoop. It is important to pass this information along to your networks as quickly as possible to beat the deadline. This is good news for Organic Farmers!

You may wish to visit ATTRA – National Sustainable Information Service: Agricultural and Organic Farming News to get the latest information as well.

I have a great amount of admiration for those who go the extra mile to keep this planet green and beautiful, while setting good examples for others to follow. So much is taken for granted, that when one looks at the really big picture we can see how each seemingly insignificant act can have a huge impact on the world in which we live in.

It takes all of us to be earth conscious and aware of how we walk on this Earth. Every action we take may be multiplied to the good or ill of the health of the natural world. Whether we know it or not, we are all responsible for our own actions, and the reactions that result.

As Stefanie and Joie seem to share my love of all things green, growing and beautiful, I would like to share their blog Focus Organic with you. I like their style, and you will find a lot of tips on going green, and how to enjoy an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Please take a few moments to visit… I am sure you will not be disappointed. Enjoy!

PS… Speaking of organic, I found something totally cool to satisfy my grandkids giant craving for candy… YummyEarth Organic Lollipops!

~ Mix of Sour Apple Tart, Pomegranate Pucker, Mango Tango, TooBerry Blueberry, Googly Grape, Strawberry Smash, Very Very Cherry, Wet-Face Watermelon.
~ Organic; allergen-free; gluten-free; GMO-free; egg-free; soy-free; nut-free; casein-free; dairy-free
~ All-natural: fruit extracts; red cabbage and purple carrots for color; no artificial dyes or flavors

According to the Organic Consumers Association, despite close to ten years of consumer and farmer demands, Starbucks has refused to increase their purchase of certified Fair Trade and Organic coffee to a respectable level. To date, only 6% of Starbucks’ coffee is certified Fair Trade. High quality certified Fair Trade and Organic coffee is readily availlable and represents a concrete way to support small-scale coffee farmers abroad.

Instead of committing to an accountable and respected third-party certifying system, Starbucks has created in internal “corporate responsibility” model that is expensive for coffee farmers, non-transparent and strictly voluntary. Starbucks’ has yet to fully committ to incoporating corporate accountable practices into their business model.

Starbucks calls its coffee worker-friendly — but in Ethiopia, a day’s pay is a dollar. For more information please visit Investigative Report: Promises and poverty

It is time to turn the heat up on Starbucks. Take action today! Sign OCA’s 2008 petition to Starbucks demanding that all espresso drinks be both 100% certified Organic and Fair Trade.

Take a few moments to visit Organic Consumers Association to learn more about this and other concerns that we, as responsible and caring consumers, need to be aware of. This is our planet, and we truly need to take steps to care for the earth and ALL the people who inhabit this world.

 Natural Beauty Products. It only makes sense to care for ourselves on the outside with the same consideration of health consciousness as we give to the care of our bodies on the inside. Our skin is like a giant sponge, and by now we should understand there is a very good reason our ancestors relied so strongly upon Nature to provide everything we need in this aspect. I just love it when I find new places dedicated to natural beauty, and am especially impressed when I discover they never test on animals, as these are the only beauty products I will consider. Even though I have a good supply of home-made soaps and such, it is always fun to supplement this with delightful organics from different places around the world. Each of us is different in our own special way, and it is so sweet to be able to let the Beauty of Nature shine through.

Incorporating aromatherapy and finding the highest quality of essential oils to maintain physical, emotional and spiritual balance is essential. Those who know me, can attest to my love of the scent and many beneficial uses of my favourite herb, lavender.

Lavender Highland is an evergreen, woody shrub that grows about 3 feet high. It has pale green, narrow leaves and beautiful, violet-blue flowers. The entire plant is highly aromatic. Lavendula vera is also known as Lavendula officinalis and Lavendula angustifolia. All these names indicate a true lavender. The essential oil from a true lavender is prized for its ester content. (Esters provide a relaxing quality with a sweet aroma.) The best Lavender in the world, with the highest ester content, comes from the high-mountain region of Provence, France. This is Oshadhi’s Highland Lavender. No other Lavender compares to its exquisite aroma and unsurpassed therapeutic qualites for skin care, first aid, and stress.

Another favourite is Geranium Rose Organic. There are many species of Geranium and hundreds of varieties. Amongst them, there are a group that are used for their essential oil. The most common are Pelargonium graveolens, asperum, roseum, odorantisimum, and radens. Geranium is a perennial shrub with serrated leaves and small flowers, growing from one to three feet high. The entire plant is aromatic. As a group, the Geraniums have been ever-popular, once believed to be a great healing plant. The essential oil is one of the most versatile and seems to be particularly good for women.

As always, I am impressed with the selection of these great essential oils, along with organic skin and personal care, vitamins, minerals and much more, as can be found at Choice Nutritionals.

CONSUMER ALERT:

CANCER-CAUSING INGREDIENT FOUND IN LEADING “ORGANIC” & “NATURAL” PERSONAL CARE PRODCUTS

A newly released study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and overseen by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman (author of The Safe Shopper’s Bible), revealed the presence of the undisclosed carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane in leading shampoos, body washes, lotions and other personal care and household cleaning products claiming to be “natural” or “organic”. The study results, to be released this weekend at the Natural Products Expo in California, are already sending shockwaves through the “organic” and “natural” body care industry.

My family knows that I am quite enthusiastic when I recieve tea gift baskets. This is a form of giving that shows how much one cares, as it is a gift meant to pamper the person recieving the gift.

So, whether tea is offered and consumed in the form of ceremony or for the simple pleasure, remember that special person with a wonderful and lovely selection of tea gift baskets available for our own choosing.

Bet the drug companies won’t like this one getting around. Facts on honey and cinnamon… it is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a “ram ban” (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.

Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly world news, a magazine in Canada, on its issue dated 17 January 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists.

Heart diseases
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

Arthritis
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning, and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon honey and half teaspoon cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

Bladder infections
Take 2 tablespoons of cinnamon powder and 1 teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

Toothache
Make a paste of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and f5ive teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied 3 times a day until the tooth stops aching.

Cholesterol
2 tablespoons of honey and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

Colds
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take 1 tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

Upset stomach
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

Gas
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

Immune system
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

Indigestion
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on 2 tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

Influenza
A scientist in Spain has proven that honey contains a natural ingredient which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

Longevity
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink ¼ cup, 3-4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases.

Pimples
3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for 2 weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

Skin infections
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

Weight loss
Daily in the morning 1/2 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in 1 cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

Cancer
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder for 1 month 3 times a day.

Fatigue
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that 1/2 tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

Bad breath
People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with 1 teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

Hearing loss
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restore hearing.

Well then, unless one has an allergic reaction to either Cinnamon or Honey, it would be a great idea to keep a good supply of these natural wonders on hand!