Big Surprise

Round Up found in... air, rainwater, groundwater, urine, fetuses... should've expected this one, huh.

http://www.gmwatch.eu/component/content/article/13631

One Straw Revolution, Fukuoka

I recently acquired and read a famous permaculture book I have been trying for about a year to get my hands on, One Straw Revolution, by Masanobu Fukuoka. Though not directly about permaculture, a concept that was developed around the same time by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, this book follows a similar type of ideology, one that Fukuoka terms “natural farming.” Both permaculture and natural farming are agricultural methods that seek to mimic nature, with minimal or no cultivation, tilling, pruning, etc. It is a way to develop a harmonious and sustainable system of plants and animals, with the eventual goal of creating a self-perpetuating cycle, just as nature itself exists as a continuous cycle.

In the first section of the book, Fukuoka writes of his specific methods used on his fields, as well as his personal journey that brought him to the realizations of such methods. All agriculture is an art, not a science, and he readily points out his own process of trial and error.

He outlines his four principles of natural farming, which include: 1) no cultivation 2) no chemical fertilizers or prepared compost 3) no weeding by tillage or herbicides and 4) no dependence on chemicals (Fukuoka 34). He discusses the use and importance of green manure, ground cover crops that enrich the soil, as well as utilizing manure of animals such as chickens and ducks. Proper timing of seed broadcasting controls the weeds. The seeds are broadcasted in a rotating year long cycle. By using the straw of the plants which are harvested as a ground cover, the new seeds have a chance to begin growing before the weeds take over and the discarded straw also aids in fertilizing the soil, while the straw and animal manure break down, adding necessary nutrients back to the earth. In this way, he manages weed control and soil fertility without additional applications.

The second half of the book moves towards a more philosophical discussion of natural farming as a way of life. Applying a Buddhist approach to farming and nutrition, Fukuoka successfully challenges the scientific, or discriminating knowledge, approach to agriculture and diet. “Just to live in the here and now- this is the true basis of human life. When a naïve scientific knowledge becomes the basis of living, people come to live as if they are dependent only on starch, fats, and protein, and plants on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. And the scientists, no matter how much they investigate nature, no matter how far they research, they only come to realize in the end how perfect and mysterious nature really is” (Fukuoka 113). Despite his career in the laboratory and scientific education, investigating plants for disease pathogens among other tasks, he eventually came to see the true nature of plants and life on earth as far beyond the limitations of the laboratory.

Furthering the conceptual difference between living in the here and now and living in the realm of scientific knowledge, Fukuoka references a common oriental distinction of discriminating knowledge versus non-discriminating knowledge. Discriminating knowledge he describes as knowledge that is gained using analytical, willful intellect, using organized, logical frameworks and so on. Non-discriminating knowledge is without conscious effort, experience as accepted as is, without interpretation of intellect (Fukuoka 124). He is certain to point out that both are necessary parts of life and the human experience. It is not to say that discriminating knowledge is bad in any way, but only that it, on it’s own, is necessary, but narrow and far from the highest achievement (Fukuoka 124). Non-discriminating knowledge comes from direct experience and should not be confused with instinct, but would better be deemed direct intuition or direct experience (Fukuoka 125).

Applying this philosophical distinction, he explains his concepts of eating and farming with non-intention and non-method, i.e. using the non-discriminating knowledge which the western and scientific world has all but abandoned. In relation to eating, he states this idea plainly, “people nowadays eat with their minds, not with their bodies” (Fukuoka 137). Instead of thinking of food as numbers, calories, protein, fat, percent daily value and so on, the best way to eat is actually the most simple and yet for some reason, in this day and age, the most difficult for society to grasp. “The foods that are nearby are best for human beings, and things that he has to struggle to obtain turn out to be the least beneficial of all” (Fukuoka 103). Fukuoka develops his own food mandalas, using two principles: 1) which foods are easiest to obtain and 2) in which months of the year the foods are accessible and ripe (Fukuoka 127). To eat properly, one need not think so hard, but rather, simply open the intuitive mind enough to realize that eating locally, seasonally, organically, and so on are the best ways for the body as well as the earth. “The world exists in such a way that if people will set aside their human will and be guided instead by nature there is no reason to expect to starve” (Fukuoka 113).

In relation to modern developments in food and diet, Fukuoka points to the cyclical nature of sickness and unbalance. “Foods that have departed from their wild state and those raised chemically or in a completely contrived environment unbalance the body chemistry. The more out of balance one’s body becomes, the more one comes to desire unnatural foods” (Fukuoka 102). It is becoming more understood, although still largely misunderstood, that the more processed a food product is, the more negative consequences it will have on the body. Processed foods create an acidic pH in the body, a circumstance that encourages cancerous development. Processed sugar spikes blood sugar, leads to diabetes and obesity. It has been shown that processed foods have an addictive affect, whether high fructose corn syrup, simplified carbohydrates, or chemical additives are the substance in question. This is the cyclical nature of unbalance that Fukuoka is pointing out, the cyclical nature that has created a society simultaneously obsessed with nutrition and unhealthier than ever before. “Sickness comes when people draw apart from nature. The severity of the disease is directly proportional to the degree of separation” (Fukuoka 144). Fukuoka proposes this idea, which is common also to the philosophy of Chinese medicine. Remedy can only be found through looking past our false conception of nature created using discriminating knowledge to recognize a greater intuitive truth of the earth, and the land, plants, food and humans it contains.

Toxic Tampons

I did some research for the co-op related to the dangers of conventional tampons. This is something I wrote up about it to post in our store and encourage consumer awareness. The most serious issue to notice here is the presence of dioxin in tampons, which is a byproduct of the chlorine bleaching process. The bottom line is, dioxin is so toxic that no matter how "slight" the companies want to claim its presence is, it shouldn't be in our bodies in the first place. The additional issues should add up to give you an idea of why these conventional hygiene products should be avoided. Feel free to do your own research, as it is not hard to come by.

You buy unbleached flour, eco-farmed rice and organic spices, but have you ever considered the health risks or environmental impact of your feminine hygiene products?

Conventional tampons contain more than just cotton, much more. Most tampons are made of a combination of cotton and rayon combined with dyes, fragrances and super-absorbent chemicals. The cotton is bleached using chlorine, which leaves behind trace amounts of the highly toxic and deadly chemical, dioxin. Dioxin has a cumulative effect in the body and considering the average woman will use 11,000 tampons/pads in her lifetime and that a mere tablespoon could kill the world’s population, this is a serious issue!

Rayon is made from wood pulp, but requires hundreds of chemicals to convert it from wood to rayon. All of these chemicals are then introduced into our bodies.

Then you have the issue of herbicides and pesticides. Cotton is one of the most highly sprayed crops and again, these chemicals have a cumulative effect in the body.

Hopefully you can start to see the big picture: conventional tampons are a truly dangerous object, packed with chemicals (that they are not required to list), and being introduced into some of the most absorbent tissue of a woman’s body.

When choosing feminine products, look for 100% organic cotton, non-chlorine bleached tampons and pads. Also, check out our Diva Cups, which are growing in popularity as a result of their unbeatable health, economic and environmental benefits.

Lacto-fermentation, A Forgotten Art and Value

I have recently discovered the numerous health benefits of lacto-fermentation, as well as learning some of the history and process. The process is very simple. Mixed with whatever grated/sliced/pureed vegetable/fruit concoction you can add simply salt or salt and whey, jar it tightly sealed, leaving 1-2" space between the veggies and lid, and let it sit for a few days for the fermentation process to occur. Adding the whey is highly helpful with veggies and essential when using fruits. The salt preserves the food initially, keeping bad bacteria out until the lactic acid begins to take over and thereby preserve the food. Lactobacilli are lactic-acid producing bacteria which cover every living surface around us. Using whey inoculates the bad bacteria by adding the essential lactobacilli and lactic acid to the food.

The process of lacto-fermentation is cross-cultural and cross-generational (until now when we have lost this type of food in our diets). From Japan's pickled plums, ume boshi, to Korea's kimchi, to Europe's sauerkraut, to India's pickled chutneys, the practice is wide-spread and has been used for centuries as a method of preservation before the relatively recent incorporation of electrical refrigeration.

Store bought pickles and sauerkraut are no longer fermented, but instead preserved in an acidic solution (usually vinegar and/or other preservatives) and then pasteurized. This detracts from the nutritional content, as well as from the wide-ranging benefits of incorporating healthy living bacteria (flora) into our digestive system.

Fermentation turns the carbohydates in the fruits or vegetables into lactic acid. Ingesting this lactic acid makes digestion easier and stimulates proper digestive functioning. It may even increase metabolism. The beneficial bacteria and digestive enzymes are very important for digestive health. Not only does the lactic acid enhance digestibility, but it also increases vitamin levels. Fermented foods have powerful medicinal properties and can potentially cure a range of maladies, such as arthritis, diabetes, indigestion and cancer. These fermented foods contain anti-carcinogenic and antibiotic substances.

So why have we lost touch with such a richly nutritious food? Partly, this is due to the difficulty this process poses for industrialized techniques. The process can't be done in huge quantities and the results are necessarily variable. Some consider this to be more of an artisanal craft than a strict science.

The fear of bacteria in our culture is partly to blame. Unfortunately, in ridding of all the bad, toxic bacteria, we have also rid of all the good bacteria and thereby created weakened systems, whether that be digestive or even the functioning of our bodies as a whole.

Increased ability to preserve things through refrigeration and chemical preservatives has likely had an impact on the loss of this technique, as well.

So far, I have tried several homemade fermented products. Kombucha is a fermented tea that has a certain culture or bacteria strain, referred to as the "mother." Add sweetened, room temperature, black tea to the culture, wait 1-2 weeks and the product is ready. The bacteria grows to cover the surface area of the tea, allowing for the anaerobic fermentation process to take place. Fermentation takes place in the absence of oxygen, so when fermenting things such as sliced cabbage (sauerkraut), it is important to just barely cover the top with water, making sure the fruits or vegetables are submerged in the liquid.

I have also made fermented cabbage, using whey, salt and cabbage with the recipe I found here:
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/homemadekraut.htm

The whey is collected by placing quality yogurt in a hanging cheese cloth or coffee filter (or you could place the cloth/filter into a strainer over a bowl) and allowing this to drip into a bowl placed underneath. The longer it sits, the more whey you will extract, but the process should take between 8-18-ish hours. What is left in the cloth is the curd and what has dripped into the bowl is the whey.

The curd can be used as a cream cheese type spread. Try flavoring it with some dill, chive, parsley or garlic or make a sweet variety with dried fruits, honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, etc.

Any whey that is not used can be saved in a jar in the fridge for quite some time (weeks, probably months).

In addition to sauerkraut, I have made an apricot butter spread, using dried, unsulphered apricots, whey, a bit of salt and honey. I have also made more interesting sauerkraut variations adding carrots, onion, garlic, dill, caraway seeds and so on. In the future, I intend to try fermented salsa, fermented bean dip, fermented pickles and hopefully many other fermented recipes.

The best book describing this technique (a book I am intent on buying soon) is Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. Fermentation is but one of many topics discussed in her book with recipes included. She is often referenced on internet sites promoting the benefits of lacto-fermentation. Some other sites with recipes and information include:
www.thefamilyhomestead.com
www.simplebites.net
www.sustainableeats.com/2010/03/24
www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/04

The possibilities are endless, the process is very simple once you understand it, and the health benefits are unbeatable! I would highly recommend anyone and everyone to research this and try it out. I would even be willing to convince you with a taste of some of my very own homemade krauts. Check it out and happy eats.

Xenon 133 Dispersion Animation - Radionuclide Has Blanketed Entire United States

I cannot tell you what this means- I am far from a chemist... but it doesn't look good. The best we can say is that we're not yet sure how the radiation from the nuclear plant in Japan is going to effect the world as we know it. And that isn't saying much.

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/xenon-133-dispersion-animation-radionuclide-has-blanketed-entire-united-states

RADIOACTIVE RAIN in Japan-

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/nhk-finally-confirms-fuel-damage-radioactive-rain-starts-pour-and-japan-increases-decontamin

I have a really difficult time thinking about the next 20, 50, 100 years in relation to this extreme radiation. There is going to be so very much suffering.

Climate Instability

This is a fantastic, "no frills" interview from Democracy Now about increasing climate instability. Dr. Paul Epstein discusses the data behind global warming, offering a better phrase, climate change or climate instability. He shows that there has been a clear increase in climate instability over the past 50 years, with the past year being particularly bad, from fires in Russia, to floods in Pakistan, heat in the Middle East and now the blizzard that hit the East Coast and intense winter weather that has hit much of the U.S. this year. My own family's home was 1 street away from being completely destroyed in a tornado that hit several places around St. Louis on New Year's Eve.

Over the past 50 years, the oceans have absorbed 22 times the amount of heat as the atmosphere, which Epstein points out, is, for some reason, not as often discussed as heat increase in the air, yet absolutely essential to understanding the weather phenomena. This ocean temperature increase leads to more evaporation and rainfall. Another interesting point about rainfall statistics is the way they are reported. When reported on an overall average increase, the increase appears small. But when you look at regions based on their varying rainfall, from 2, to 4, to 6, 8 and so on. The rainfall increase, increases almost exponentially, with areas averaging a higher rainfall, seeing a far more significant increase in rainfall over the past 5 decades.

Epstein has written a book looking at the way global warming is affecting human health. He highlights 5 areas: 1) Infectious diseases; 2) Respiratory diseases, especially asthma; 3) winter anomalies; 4) heat; and 5) affect of warming and extremes on crops. Growing insect populations carry many infectious diseases with them. To name a few of the pest increases he talks about, lime disease associated with the growing number of ticks, increasing numbers of spiders, mosquitoes as far north as Alaska and of particular significance, an invasive beetle species that has moved from Arizona to Alaska and is literally decimating forests. Epstein notes that especially with issues like the spreading of these beetles, there is very little that can be done in the way of human involvement/help. Crops and forests are being destroyed because of pests that can now migrate further and further north due to slight temperature increases.

As for asthma and respiratory diseases, it has been studied that pollen count increases in plants in response to increased carbon dioxide. Pollen count has increased 2-3 times in the past 2-3 decades, which extends the allergy season and leads to more respiratory problems. The resulting components in the air from things such as burned fossil fuels, allows for the pollen to enter more deeply into the lungs, again, escalating the problem.

So why is there still the questioning of global warming? As discussed in the interview, it is a manufactured doubt coming from a corporate agenda. Epstein does not try to give his opinion on what this corporate agenda is, but he does point out that the number of companies benefiting from the agenda is slipping. Insurance companies, for example, are seeing the risk to their business in this weather instability. The main proponents of maintaining the doubt is the fossil fuel corporations and that is pretty much it. They sight here reporters being specifically told to "always state climate change data has been called into question." And a Fox News official has been exposed in telling reporters to refrain from asserting that temperature has increased or decreased in any given period. Epstein calmly explains that while this may be the mainstream media push, it is blatantly accepted by the scientific community that climate change is occurring.

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/28/from_snowstorms_to_heat_waves_how

GMO science

Here is yet another telling interview about the severity of GM crops on the health of us, animals, the land, future, etc. It is terrifying how much research has been ignored, erased and discredited. The information here speaks for itself.


http://geraldcelentechannel.blogspot.com/2010/11/jeffrey-m-smith-gmo-threat.html

Creation of the police state

In this interview from RT, Paul Craig Roberts questions the aims of the FBI that would cause them to create fake terrorists, by seeking them out, hiring them and giving them a fake (or real) bomb. He discusses this in relation to the newly imported body scanners into airports covering the country. If the government needs to create terrorists, does that mean there are not enough terrorists to justify actions such as widespread use of body scanners? The main purposes behind the spreading body scanners that he brings up are: 1) money and 2) creation of a police state, i.e. getting us to accept more and more infringements upon our privacy until we are as complicit and controlled as possible (an unreachable, never-ending goal, of course). He goes on to talk about how these scanners could likely spread from airports, to bus stations, to sports events, shopping malls, and so on. New methods of control such as this should not be taken lightly. And it can't be forgotten that everything in today's society is driven by money, not consumer or citizen interests.

http://geraldcelentechannel.blogspot.com/2010/11/paul-craig-roberts-fbi-creating-police.html

Since I'm on the topic of airport scanners, I will link an article I read recently about the capability of the body scanners to emit harmful radiation.

http://myhelicaltryst.blogspot.com/2010/11/tsa-x-ray-backscatter-body-scanner.html

Monsanster

I recently watched a documentary titled, "The World According to Monsanto," recommended by a friend. The link is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3OedIuaZto

If you need any more reasons to be distrustful (or down right enraged, dismayed, downtroddened, etc.) of the government-corporate-media totalitarian regime, see for yourself. And if you are like me and despise the unbelievable comment that people all over the United States still genuinely believe, that "industrialized farming is feeding the people of the world," this will give you a complete picture of that 100% lie that started with the company of Monsanto itself.

For starters, it's important for every single citizen of this country to be aware that government officials often cycle in and out of working for the government and in high positions of giant corporations, such as Monsanto. It's cited in the documentary related to the agri-business aspect of society, but it is pervasive in areas beyond this, such as the economic sector. High ranking Monsanto businessmen will end up in powerful positions serving the FDA, regulating health, food, agriculture and more. Here is a list to view some of these people and they are discussed more in detail in the documentary as well: http://www.purefood.org/Monsanto/revolvedoor.cfm To think that these people have no agenda but to serve the best interests of people of our country, is to be a blind fool.

Many people in this country today have a faith in the government that is completely off base. The classification of GMO foods by the FDA as "substantially equivalent" is the perfect example. The people of the United States do not view governmental policies with a critical eye. This is largely due to the fact that contrary scientific evidence often results in the firing, discrediting and downplaying of the brave soul who exposes evidence in contradiction to the company's goals and thereby, profits. There are many accounts in the documentary.

There are also numerous studies done suggesting that GMO's are not at all similar to a naturally bred seed and the resulting plant. For example, when rats were given GM potatoes, there was a noted increased immune response as well as an increase in cell division, showing clearly that their bodies recognized these GM potatoes not as food, but as foreign, possibly harmful items. The second response, the scientist commented, does not indicate directly cancerous cells, but that is only because it takes 30+ years for the cancer to develop.

Monsanto manages to gloss over real research in search of just enough vague data to fool the masses, or at least not make them curious enough to investigate on the wide scale. One example from the film was a study published by Monsanto attempting to "prove" that GMO's were "substantially equivalent" to naturally bred plant varieties, but within the study, there are countless vague, poorly worded and moreover completely inconclusive statements, such as "except for the darker brown color, livers appeared normal at necropsy." The scientist commenting on this, made the obvious statement that this is not enough investigation to be considered a legitimate study. All it takes is a critical mind to look at this sentence and say, "why?" So why not answer the "why?" It should be obvious that answering all the "why's" and holes in the Monsanto research would prove every premise false. The Round Up product, Monsanto's claim to fame, was initially advertised as biodegradable, safe, and even "good for the environment." All these claims have been taken off the labeling now, but the same mentality exists and the same manipulation of the facts continues.

Then there is the issue of patent genes. Monsanto is developing a worldwide monopoly over seed sales. The account of farmers from India to Paraguay to Mexico are heart wrenching. In India, the seed sales are now almost completely controlled by Monsanto. The seeds are 4 times the cost and cannot be saved or replanted, as traditional farming methods have done since the dawn of agriculture. This means, if there is a bad year due to weather or uncontrollable and unpredictable factors, the farmers lose everything and declare bankruptcy. There has been a sharp rise in suicides of cotton farmers in India who have been forced into this and have experienced this unrecoverable fate.

In Mexico, due to the NAFTA trade agreement, cheap, American GM corn has been imported and now comprises about 40% of the corn sales, and comes at half the cost to consumers. Although Mexico had not yet allowed Monsanto to enter directly, the corn being imported has spread the patented genes randomly into fields, from a dropped kernel here and there. Some Mexican farmers are trying desperately to keep these new genes out of their higher quality fields that have been bred through generations of honest farming. These modified genes have a high capacity to spread and overtake a plant variety and it is already happening in a big way. One threat is that Monsanto can come in and claim these crops as their own, since the seed has been patented, and destroy farmers lives in this way. On the wider scale, the threat is to plant diversity, which is already being reduced by cross pollination and spreading of these GM plants. And to imagine the implications of the spreading of these GM plants is nothing short of mind blowing.

In Paraguay, 70% of farmland is now owned by 2% of the population, 75% of which are foreigners trying to capitalize on the economic opportunity. The various farmers' accounts in the film demonstrate clearly that these methods of industrialized farming are doing the opposite of feeding the world, but instead causing more death, destruction, dependence, poverty and starvation than before. Communities and families are destroyed. Lives ruined. Suffering abounds. And the lies, lies, lies that Monsanto and the government alike are feeding us, continue to blind us of these truths.

Headed to... ?

Just watched this video from RT that I found on Gerald Celente's blog. The interview is with Paul Craig Roberts and he discusses the process of America becoming a third world country. We are headed this direction fast, and as he sees it, we are already pretty much there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIisOdwAIho&feature=player_embedded

I watched another video (3 parts) today from Max Keiser's show, On the Edge, consisting of an interview with David DeGraw. A similar message to the video above, he discusses the overall degradation of economies and societies on a global scale. He points out the unsustainable nature of every aspect of growth in the human species and societal structures.

http://maxkeiser.com/2010/10/10/ote76-on-the-edge-with-david-degraw/

Finally, I watched the October 8th episode of Democracy Now, The War and Peace Report. Overall, some interesting stories, but particularly interesting was the segment on the foreclosures and frauds committed by banks, forcing many people out of their homes. Luckily, Obama vetoed the bill that would have allowed for continued fraud with the mortgages and foreclosures. The Ohio Secretary of State speaks passionately and convincingly on the issue.

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/10/8/ohio_secretary_of_state_jennifer_brunner

A further story in the episode shows previous Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu giving a speech discussing the importance of global warming awareness and action. He seems like a truly wonderful and genuine man!

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/10/8/nobel_peace_prize_winner_archbishop_desmond

Meditative creation

I have the urge to write about all the aspects of what I might term, my extensive doodling hobby, that I greatly enjoy. I occasionally doodled throughout my life, but the hobby took up new importance after graduating from college. Being constantly bogged down with never-ending work can really limit your activities. It did so for me, because every activity that was not part of the “work load” only made me feel guilty of wasting time, so those extracurricular interests were hard for me to develop in myself. This is just one aspect of being finished with school (for now) that I am greatly appreciating at this time. It's freeing to be able to develop new and different aspects of myself, abilities and interests.

I began my extensive doodling career with just a pen or pencil on paper. My artistic ambitions grow through phases of different mediums, techniques, and/or styles. From my pen/pencil art, I began to experiment more with colored pencils on paper. Then, I moved to markers, sharpies to be specific. I began experimenting with paints, acrylic and tempera. Initially, I started painting cardboard boxes, figuring that these kinds of things could only be improved. I have since taken to the tendency of painting... well, everything. I paint boxes, clocks, tables, sticks, shelves, chairs, jugs, cups, really anything I can get my hands on. If I ever own a house, I can guarantee that with enough time, the entire house will be covered, inside and out.

I have also gone through phases of painting with fabric paint on clothing. And I enjoy creating other things like earrings, outdoor structures and delicious, creative foods. The process of creation is an essential part of my life. It is an outlet that provides something to me.

I am currently working on one of my largest, and so far my favorite painting yet (among other projects). It's just a large board I found in the trash. Each stroke brings a new element to consider. The intent behind each stroke varies. Sometimes, I visualize clearly my next move, other times I go onwards with only a vague idea of what my hand is about to do. I spend a lot of time looking at my work. It's a fascinating process that has no backwards and forwards. It is only in the present. There is no error. Every “error” becomes part of the new picture. It may take me away from my first image of what was to be, but this never distresses me. It only enhances. It is part of the essential process.

Creation brings me to the present. I cannot conceive of the end to anything I am making. I look only at what is and usually think only as far as my next immediate move. Sometimes I do sit for a while, looking and imagining further possibilities in the drawing or painting, where I want to go with it. But as I work and create each new stroke, the picture itself changes and is therefore never predictable. Something about this unplanned, unpredictable, organic-feeling process is extremely calming and centering. I believe it is a meditative process. Creating almost always has the power to erase negative thoughts or cyclical thinking patterns I may be experiencing. As I said, it is in the present and brings me to the present. I honestly believe that my experiences with “extensive doodling” have given a new depth to my life and changed me in a very positive way.

Campaign for real milk

Over the weekend I went to Indy to visit an event hosted by the Indiana State Museum called the "Hoosier Harvest," where different farms and various food and health related groups from Indiana set up stands with their products and projects. I went specifically because Fields of Agape, where I've started volunteering (well, sort of, but I am paid with plenty of food!), was setting up a stand there. It ended up being really fantastic actually! But, what I really intended to write about here was this group starting a campaign for real milk. Here's there link to the real milk campaign:

http://www.realmilk.com

Another campaign they were advocating can be viewed here:

http://www.farmtoconsumer.org/

Real milk comes from cows who are fed their actual diet of "green grass in spring, summer and fall; stored dry hay, silage and root vegetables in winter." It is raw milk, which means not processed in any way- not pasteurized, homogenized or de-fatted. I will just highlight a few particularly important, interesting and/or possibly very surprising quotes here that you can read more about on the website:

"Vital nutrients like vitamins A, D and K2 are greatest in milk from cows eating green grass, especially rapidly growing green grass in the spring and fall. Vitamins A and D are greatly diminished, and vitamin K2 disappears when milk cows are few commercial feed. Soy meal has the wrong protein profile for the dairy cow, resulting in a short burst of high milk production followed by premature death. Most milk (even most milk labeled "organic") comes from dairy cows that are kept in confinement their entire lives and never see green grass!"

"Worse, consumers have been duped into believing that low-fat and skim milk products are good for them. Only by marketing low-fat and skim milk as health foods can the modern dairy industry get rid of its excess poor-quality, low-fat milk from modern high-production herds. Butterfat contains vitamins A and D needed for assimilation of calcium and protein in the water fraction of the milk. Without them protein and calcium are more difficult to utilize and possibly toxic. Butterfat is rich in short- and medium-chain fatty acids which protect against disease and stimulate the immune system."

"Galen, Hippocrates, Pliny, Varro, Marcellus, Empiricus, Bacchis and Anthimus, leading physicians of their day, all used raw milk in the treatment of disease. During the 1920s, Dr. J. E. Crewe of the Mayo Foundation used a diet of raw milk to cure TB, edema, heart failure, high blood pressure, prostate disease, urinary tract infections, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic fatigue and obesity. Today, in Germany, successful raw milk therapy is provided in many hospitals.

"Studies show that children fed raw milk have more resistance to TB than children fed pasteurized milk (Lancet, p 1142, 5/8/37); that raw milk is very effective in preventing scurvy and protecting against flu, diphtheria and pneumonia (Am J Dis Child, Nov 1917); that raw milk prevents tooth decay, even in children who eat a lot of sugar (Lancet, p 1142, 5/8/37); that raw milk is better than pasteurized milk in promoting growth and calcium absorption (Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 518, p 8, 1/33); that a substance present in raw cream (but not in pasteurized cream) prevents joint stiffness and the pain of arthritis (Annual Review of Biochemistry, 18:435, 1944); and that children who drink raw milk have fewer allergic skin problems and far less asthma than children who drink pasteurized milk (Lancet 2001 358 (9288):1129-33)."

These are merely three of many pertinent and informative quotes to be found on this website. There are TONS of links on the site to outside articles, scientific studies, safety analysis, health effects, political and legal issues, historical context, media involvement and coverage, books, blogs, videos, journals, newsletters and on and on. I've been somewhat familiar with the raw milk benefits and surrounding legal issues, but this presents some amazing information that isn't easily accessible to us, the consumers. Read on and spread the word!!

Living in revolutionary times

Ah! Ron Paul is amazing!! He is spot on, everything in this interview with him.

http://blog.alexanderhiggins.com/2010/10/02/wall-street-journal-warns-america-brink-revolution-6218/

Who's really behind the disruptions?

A news report from RT positing the possible involvement of the CIA in the failed coup attempt upon Ecuadorian president Correa. For those who haven't heard, the president was kidnapped by police in Quito, Ecuador and held hostage in a hospital until the military came in and rescued him amidst much gunfire. It's reported that the police did this in protest to Correa's plan to cut promotions and wage raises. They discuss the role of the CIA in planning these types of disruptive events in countries with leaders coming to power who do not follow the United State's desires related to things such as trade policies or general American approval, support and compliance. They also discuss in here the reasons for the lack of coverage in America of this event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuWpgRQuXU4

More links and some movies

Yesterday I watched a 45 minute documentary about the global financial crisis. It gives a good overview of how we got into this situation- a recipe for the greatest depression yet- for anyone interested in an introduction to these topics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ECi6WJpbzE&feature=player_embedded#!

On that note, the following is a link to 3 posts about hyperinflation from a very good blog. I'm not going to say much about it yet, because I need to reread it. It is full of information, but difficult for me to follow at times, hence needing to reread it. If you take the time to digest this, I'm sure it will fill your mind with constructive and important thoughts.

http://fofoa.blogspot.com/2010/09/just-another-hyperinflation-post.html
http://fofoa.blogspot.com/2010/09/just-another-hyperinflation-post-part-2.html
http://fofoa.blogspot.com/2010/09/just-another-hyperinflation-post-part-3.html

Aside from this, I recently watched a movie called Fire, set in India, directed by Deepa Metha. A couple years ago I watched her film, Water, which was also deeply moving. Both films deal with taboo issues in India and people who remain forced into the periphery. Water was about how widowed women, or even children, are sent basically to "widow camps" where they are required to remain for the duration of their lives. This affects even children who may have been married off at very young ages. Fire dealt with the cultural intolerance towards lesbianism. Both of the films displayed the pervasive inequalities that women in India endure. She has made another film, Earth, that I hope to see after seeing these two pertinent, thoughtful and highly emotional films.

Surface giving versus life changing

Wendell Berry discusses the inherent flaw of giving money in place of action as a method of doing good in the world. I have come to understand the importance of beginning within the self as opposed to working to smooth over the damage in the external. One method deals with the results, while the other deals with the causes. To create real change, we must work to solve the systemic problems. This involves a much deeper, more complex and extreme change. The act of giving money is an example of attempting to contribute positively to the consequences of a system within the context of the very system that is causing the damage.

"The giving of money has thus become our characteristic virtue. But to give is not to do. The money is given in lieu of action, thought, care, time. And it is no remedy for the fragmentation of character and consciousness that is the consequence of specialization. At the simplest, most practical level, it would be difficult for most of us to give enough in donations to good causes to compensate for, much less remedy, the damage done by the money that is taken from us and used destructively by various agencies of the government and by the corporations that hold us in captive dependence on their products. More important, even if we could give enough to overbalance the official and corporate misuse of our money, we would still not solve the problem: the willingness to be represented by money involves a submission to the modern divisions of character and community. The remedy safeguards the disease.

"This has become, to some extent at least, an argument against institutional solutions. Such solutions necessarily fail to solve the problems to which they are addressed because, by definition, they cannot consider the real causes. The only real, practical, hope-giving way to remedy the fragmentation that is the disease of the modern spirit is a small and humble way- a way that a government or agency or organization or institution will never think of, though a person may think of it: one must begin in one's own life the private solutions that can only in turn become public solutions...

"If a consumer begins to think and act in consideration of his responsibilities, then he vastly increases his capacities as a person. And he begins to be effective in a different way- a way that is smaller perhaps, and certainly less dramatic, but sounder, and able sooner or later to assume the force of example." (Berry, 23, 24)

The perspective presented here is aligned with the Buddhist philosophy. When we are unaware, or disconnected from ourselves, we can only bring harm to the world around us. An untamed mind is like an elephant tromping through a forest and causing destruction without thought (only a metaphor, not an actual criticism of elephants obviously). There are many examples of people in this condition. People with a specific hatred for another way of living are a good and unfortunately common example. Whether they choose to direct their hate based on race, gender, class, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religious beliefs, etc., these people lack a base understanding of themselves and in turn, cause pain in the surrounding world. Turning inwards and leading by example is the only true form of creating change. This path is not limited to the saints and monks. Every individual can achieve this heightened awareness with time, understanding, patience, practice and dedication. The first step is looking beyond the assumptions and restraints placed upon us by society. The assumption of money as necessity is one such externally placed value of this time and place. I am not trying to advocate for a money-less society, but merely considering the possibility will open our minds to other ways of living.

Although it can be intimidating to choose a path diverging from the security of the main road, I hope to not let myself be overrun by this taming to normalcy that occurs on the large scale. I also believe that Americans and global citizens alike, will soon be forced to challenge their old systems of security, when they begin to crumble and expose their hollow, unsustainable, exploitive nature. Unfortunately, we tend to accept what appears to work, without the much needed reflections, until what used to appear to work, eventually fails us.

New America: No farms allowed?

Great, a man has been fined $5000 for his 2 acre organic farm... what is this world coming to? Wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT9qKnmBqy0&feature=player_embedded

For more information, go to Celente's blog at:

http://geraldcelentechannel.blogspot.com/

The September 18th post.

More reasons to avoid more things

Please read this article bringing to light that the majority of antibacterial hand soap contain triclosan or triclocarbon, which cause hormone changes, possible infertility and abnormal development. There is no need to buy these products that may be causing serious, long term damage to ourselves, our species, animals and the environment.

http://cryptogon.com/?p=17733

Looking within

Here is a video from Max Keiser, an economist who hosts two excellent and very insightful shows, the Keiser Report and On the Edge. Keiser discusses the markets, debt, money creation, the banking crisis, global economy, gold prices and other such topics. In this episode, Keiser interviews William K. Black. Black gives a clear picture of the banking and economic situation and scandals going on. I was so impressed by William K. Black from this episode that I am presently trying to read his book, The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One: How Corporate Executives and Politicians Looted the S&L Industry. One of the most memorable and terrifying (but understandable and clear at the same time) concepts from this interview is that our economic system is designed to reward the most immoral people. Here is the link:

http://maxkeiser.com/watch/the-keiser-report/keiser-report-68-12-august-2010-guest-william-k-black/

Also, I just listened to another interview with Gerald Celente. One point that really resonated with me from this is that to make change, we have to start with ourselves. We have the power to change what businesses and corporations we support. We have the power to inform ourselves or remain ignorant, to buy crappy food from huge chains or support the local economy, and so on. I believe in this concept fully. The only way that we can make change is by starting from within ourselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNWqKzw-P_s

Pending collapse

I recently watched this 4 part interview with Gerald Celente on King World News. Gerald Celente is a trends analyst, who is well respected for having predicted many incidents accurately (economic collapses, housing bubbles, terrorist panics, etc.) He publishes the Trends Research Journal, in which he analyzes many trends, for example, religious, economic, political, agricultural, scientific, social, pharmaceutical, etc.

In this interview, Celente discusses a range of topics such as the need for a resurgence of small business, equal opportunity, actual capitalism, as opposed to the current system of continually bailing out the "too big to fails," which therefore prevents capitalism from correcting itself and existing as it is truly supposed to. This is equivalent to the merging of state and corporate power, aka Fascism. Big corporations have legal advantages left and right and in the end, as we can see with the Freddie Mac and Fannie May example, they are not at all solvent but due to the fact that they have become SO big, the government and federal reserve sees their failure as a possible detriment to our economy and therefore gives trillions of tax payers dollars to them in attempts to "save the economy." This is not the capitalist ideology of allowing equal competition and collapse of failed businesses and advancement of success. It is so important to realize that this method is not at all going to "save the economy." Providing money to insolvent corporations is merely going to continue the faltering system and cause a more violent end in the future. There is going to be a collapse of America soon and the people at the top will try to do everything in their power to continue the system of profiteering. Celente equates those top business and Wall street men to "junkies," "money junkies." The unemployment rate is up to around 19-22% now, reaching pre-Great Depression numbers. America's class gap is now the widest of the industrialized nations. He gives more details about this and other issues, some of which take a bit of context, but a lot of it is readily digestible and worth considering.

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNiAAiSMu9Y
2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mwFwEkYZVs
3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEtqPBEpt5M
4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS6UApZHsW8