Eczema is a chronic itchy skin condition that usually starts during the first five years of life, most often in the first six months, and typically lasts into childhood and even adolescence.  In infancy, eczema often appears as red, scaly, crusted and even weeping patches often on both cheeks and on the (lower) extremities.  During childhood, eczema usually moves to areas such as the knees, elbows, wrists, and ankles.

There are times when the skin appears only mildly affected while, during other periods, it is moderately–to very severely affected.

Eczema now occurs in almost 20% of all children in industrialized countries; its prevalence in the United States alone has nearly tripled in the past thirty years.

Why the Increase in Eczema?

One Suggestion

Could the increase be partly due to an imbalance in the gut bacteria?

There are four main ways in which the body eliminates unwanted matter:

1. The bowels get rid of food waste – as well as waste from the lymphatic system and toxins from the blood that the liver has cleaned out.
2. The kidneys and bladder handle cellular waste as they clean the blood.
3. The lungs deal with any waste that can be converted to a gas, for example, carbon dioxide.
4. And the skin eliminates waste as we perspire.

All four methods have to work properly for optimum efficiency, but even if just one does not, waste finds it way back into the body, which has to go back to square one to find another method for elimination.

A traditional naturopath doctor, Kathryn Doran-Fisher,  believes eczema is a result of waste material being passed out of the skin that was never meant for the skin to eliminate. These irritating substances cause inflammation, itching, and redness as the immune system works to get rid of it.

Another Possible Reason

Before the 1900s, vaccines were administered by a lancet, but by the turn of the century, nearly all countries in the western world changed to using the hypodermic needle instead. Coincidentally or not, a new disease called serum sickness began to afflict thousands of children. The connection was well recognized and documented in the medical literature of the day. In fact, Dr. Clemens Von Pirquet (who actually coined the word “allergy”) was a leading researcher in identifying the new disease. The doctor recognized that vaccines had two primary effects: immunity and hypersensitivity. He said they were inseparable; the one was the price of the other.

• Could the growing number of cases of eczema in children be part of that second primary effect of hypersensitivity, especially in view of the increased vaccine schedule of recent decades?
• Could the elimination of the toxins from vaccines (even through the skin as we describe above) be at fault?

Whatever the reason, eczema can be particularly harsh and painful for children to endure.

How Can We Help Our Children To Heal the Eczema?

Investigating your child’s gut health and ensuring the buildup of good bacteria in their digestive system has to be at the top of the list.  Parents can do this in a number of ways:

• By making every effort to breastfeed your baby for as long as possible.
• By cutting down or cutting out all refined sugars (including agave, fruit juices, coconut sugar, etc.).
• By including probiotics in your diet (in the form of fermented foods or with probiotic supplements) during pregnancy.
• By giving probiotics from a young age to beneficially alter the early colonization of bacteria in the gut and to help the child’s immune system develop and mature. However, probiotics do need to be integrated with a healthy diet.  It does not help to add probiotics if your child is consuming loads of sugar, grains, and fruit juices as these will rapidly break down in the intestine and feed the pathogenic bacteria, rendering those probiotics useless.

The presence of Candida or yeast is a sign of problems with gut health. It is those simple carbs – sugars, grains, and pastas – that feed the yeast.  Candida develops as a helper to create balance in the gut due to antibiotics, preservatives, heavy metal toxins, and processed foods. Once gut health is improved sufficiently, Candida becomes obsolete. Unfortunately, Candida overgrowth can be passed down from mother to child.

Consider changing to a raw food diet if your child is on solids. Such a diet would include a large proportion of living, nutritionally-dense organic uncooked and unprocessed food along with pure water. Such a diet will help eliminate those toxins that can be created during the cooking process and help the body to become more alkaline.

Make the connection between that nightly bath time and the appearance of eczema. Bathe your children when they’re dirty,  this usually means two to three baths a week. Use one bath each week to wash your child’s hair and body with natural soap/shampoo, while the other bath or baths are kept simple with oatmeal milk or herbal bath bombs,  not only to clean their skin but to nourish it as well. Dryness and eczema go hand in hand, and it is this dryness that makes it so important to keep on moisturizing when you have the recurring symptoms of eczema. When the body sweats, valuable water and moisture are lost from the skin. Caring for children with eczema means establishing a skin care routine that locks in moisture.

Dry skin brushing combined with the use of a natural scrub to exfoliate, followed by a natural moisturizer, can help to get rid of dry skin topically.

Using 100% natural H-Eczema Formula will work gently with your child’s body to heal those symptoms without the adverse effects that other harsh eczema remedies (containing chemicals and other harmful ingredients) can bring.

Conclusion

No parent wants their child to suffer from the pain and discomfort of eczema. We must remember that our skin is our largest organ and everything we apply to the outside of our skin gets absorbed into the skin and into our bloodstream.  We need to focus on what goes into our children’s bodies not only via the mouth and nose, but also via the skin – everything from the type of food they eat, the vaccines injected, the day-to-day exposure to chemicals, toxins and so much more.

Sources and Further Reading:

• Candida, Gut Flora, Allergies, and Disease
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children
• If Your Child Has Eczema They Should Avoid or Delay Vaccination! – Elder and Sage Blog
• Eczema & Is There A Link To That Daily Bath? – amoils.com
• Probiotics Might Lessen Infant Skin Problems – Mercola
• What is Candida? – Green Med Info
• Galactagogues Foods, Herbs, and other Ways to Increase Breast Milk Production

I vividly remember the fear I felt when faced with the empty nest syndrome. It wasn’t just that my kids would be gone, I would be alone. Alone. Alone. Alone. In silence.

As it turned out, silence was the best part. It was regenerative. It was healing. It was… awesome. And the silence sparked the most creative period of my life.

A 2013 study may explain why. Imke Kirste, Ph.D., a regenerative biologist from Duke University, studied the effects of different sounds on cells in the hippocampus region of the brain in mice. The sounds being tested were white noise, piano music by Mozart, and pup calls (baby mouse cries). Two hours a day of silence was supposed to be the control. Instead, silence became the surprise trophy winner. Silence caused an increase in new neurons. Sounds did not.

So… silence is more than golden. It feeds the brain.

Related Reading:

• The Glymphatic System – How Insomnia Leads to a Filthy Mind
• Increase your IQ with the Right Foods, Herbs, Vitamins
• Mental Health, Physical Health & B Vitamins – Nature’s Valium
• Yoga – A Beginner’s Guide
• What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good

Sources:

• Is silence golden? Effects of auditory stimuli and their absence on adult hippocampal neurogenesis – Brain Structure and Function
• Science Says Silence Is Much More Important To Our Brains Than We Think – Lifehack
• This Is Your Brain on Silence – Nautilus

While fresh, organic, whole foods are the ideal, few of us have the time or dedication to make everything from scratch. Though many die-hard foodies make their own condiments, who makes their own olive oil?

Recently a quest for gluten-free balsamic vinegar led to the discovery of Vitacost, an online grocery that carries most, if not all, of the packaged pantry items we would ever need. Their costs were a complete surprise. While a few things were a bit higher, others were lower. Groceries are delivered to your door. There are no travel costs. No taxes. And what makes it truly affordable, no shipping charge for orders over $49.00 (or $25.00 for selected products).

Soon after discovering Vitacost, I noticed advertising for a similar company, Thrive Market. Both are vocal about competing with Whole Foods. It was time to do a serious cost and website comparison to learn a little more about these companies.

Vitacost

Vitacost started their business in 1994 as an online source for third party vitamins and supplements. In 1999, the company began carrying proprietary brands. Over the years, it expanded into personal care products, sports and fitness diet supplies, pet supplies, green cleaning supplies, and “shelf-stable” natural and organic food. Vitacost was purchased by Kroger in 2014. The company now carries more than 45,000 items.

Thrive Market

Thrive Market is new in the game, having launched in September of 2014. Thrive is growing in leaps and bounds, though their selection is sparse compared to Vitacost and they require a $60.00 annual membership fee. The company now reports that they have acquired more than 200,000 members. They also claim to be carbon neutral and to be a company with a conscience that gives away memberships to those who cannot afford them. The company is working hard to make healthy foods (organic and non-GMO foods) accessible to everyone.

Website Comparison

Vitacost is hands down the winner when it comes to website design and user-friendly features. While Thrive has incorporated many of the same search features, they don’t have all as many categories so narrowing search parameters isn’t nearly as precise.

A search in Vitacost for olive oil reveals 172 hits in food and beverages. On the side of the screen, the user can limit choices by checking one or more of the 24 specialty choices such as GMO-free, gluten-free, organic, sugar-free, kosher, vegan, BPA-free, etc. Further limitations can be made by choosing brands, price range, form (like chips or liquid), servings, flavor, ratings, featured products, or price range.

The same search on Thrive Market results in 19 hits in the food category. The search can be further narrowed by the following categories: form, manufacturers, certifications and awards (certified gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO, etc.) environmental and social (categories like family-owned business, made in the USA, women-owned business, recyclable), health and ingredients (sugar free, salt free, pesticide free, etc.), and lifestyle (their broad categories like gluten free, paleo, vegan, etc.)

Where Vitacost’s site really shines is how it allows shoppers to save and organize favorite items. Shoppers can even create separate folders. For instance, you can create a folder for canned goods, one for baking items, one for cookies, one for pasta, etc. When you return to the site you can open a folder and check off items you wish to purchase rather than searching through the site. You can also reorder from a previous order (you can even modify it) and you can set up and schedule automatic re-orders for the items you know you are going to purchase regularly.

Amazon

Although prices were competitive on some items, others were ridiculously high. However, Amazon may remain the go-to spot for large bulk items like 25lb bags of rice or cases of canned goods.

Prices are accurate as of 5/30/2016.

It is clear that both Vitacost and Thrive Market are viable alternatives to shopping at Whole Foods even before taxes, travel costs, and time are considered. For these who don’t live near a store that carries these items, online shopping may be the only means to purchase natural and organic staples. Affordable, accessible quality foods are now within the reach of all our citizens.

Recommended Reading:

• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• Total Nutrition – Make your own Homemade Multivitamin and Mineral Formula
• Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones
• Candida, Gut Flora, Allergies, and Disease
• How to Eat Healthy On a Budget
• Eating Right when the Budget is Tight

Sources:

• Vitacost – Wikipedia
• Company information supplied by Vitacost
• Thrive Market wants to build an online Whole Foods for people who aren’t rich – Recode
• Can Thrive Market be a Kinder, Gentler Amazon for Organic Food? – Civil Eats

The Detox Project is a research organization bringing awareness to the public by testing for man-made chemicals in our bodies and in our food. The project gives consumers an accurate report on the levels of glyphosate in their urine.

Through this unique public testing project carried out by a laboratory at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), glyphosate was discovered in 93% of urine samples during the early phase of the testing in 2015. The urine and water testing was organized by The Detox Project and commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association.

The project has provided more urine samples for testing than any other glyphosate bio-monitoring urine study ever in America. It was supported by members of the public, who themselves paid for their urine and water samples to be analyzed for glyphosate residues by the UCSF lab.

The data released in a presentation by the UCSF lab only covers the first 131 people tested. Further data from this public bio-monitoring study, which is now completed, will be released later in 2016.

Later this year, The Detox Project will be working alongside a new, larger lab to enable the public to once again test their urine for glyphosate residues. The Detox Project is also researching whether or not an organic diet has an effect on the level of man-made chemicals in our bodies. They’re not just testing for glyphosates either, they are also testing for 150+ man-made chemicals.

The Results

Glyphosate was found in 93% of the 131 urine samples tested at an average level of 3.096 parts per billion (PPB). Children had the highest levels with an average of 3.586 PPB.

The regions with the highest levels were the West and the Midwest with an average of 3.053 PPB and 3.050 PPB respectively.

Glyphosate residues were not observed in any tap water samples during the early phase of the project, most likely due to phosphorus removal during water treatment.

The Method

Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine ) is directly analyzed using liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Water and urine samples are prepared for analysis by solid phase extraction using an ion exchange column. Extracted samples are injected to the LC-MS/MS and the analyte is separated using an Obelisc N column (SIELC Technologies, Prospect Heights, IL) through isocratic elution. Ionization of glyphosate is achieved using an electrospray ionization source operated in negative polarity. The analyte is detected by multiple reaction monitoring using a 13C-labelled glyphosate as the internal standard. Quantification of the analyte is done by isotope dilution method using an eight-point calibration curve.

The assay has a limit of quantification of 0.5 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision observed are 6-15% in concentrations that range 0.5-80 ng/mL. Recoveries for glyphosate range 70-80% at concentrations within the assay’s linear dynamic range.

Glyphosate and Health Concerns

Glyphosate-containing herbicides are sold under trademarks including Monsanto’s “Roundup”. Glyphosate was labeled a “probable human carcinogen” by the World Health Organization’s cancer agency IARC in 2015. The European Union is currently putting restrictions on the use of glyphosate due to health concerns.

Glyphosate has never been studied at the level of exposure that we in the U.S. are currently being subjected to (under 3 mg/kg body weight/day). Industry-funded science many years ago suggested that lower exposure is likely safe, but that more exposure could prove to be dangerous. Modern independent science has discovered that many toxic chemicals can have major effects on our endocrine system, sometimes at very low doses. Interestingly enough, due to the nature of endocrine disrupters, there’s often a “sweet spot”, where less or more exposure would be more damaging to health. These chemicals are known as hormone disruptors, or endocrine disruptors.

For more on the endocrine system check out Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones.

A study from March 2015 stated that the health cost to the European Union of only a few of these endocrine disrupting chemicals is over EUR 150 Billion per year. The same report also said that lower IQs, adult obesity, and potentially 5% or more of autism cases may be linked to exposure to endocrine disruptors like glyphosate.

“With increasing evidence from laboratory studies showing that glyphosate-based herbicides can result in a wide range of chronic illnesses through multiple mechanisms, it has become imperative to ascertain the levels of glyphosate in food and in as large a section of the human population as possible. Thus, the information gathered by the glyphosate public testing service being offered by The Detox Project is most timely and will provide invaluable information for the consumer and scientists like myself evaluating the toxicity of real world levels of exposure to this most widely used pesticide.”

These results show that both the U.S. regulators have let down consumers in America. Independent science shows that glyphosate may be a hormone hacker at these real-life exposure levels found in the food products. The safe level of glyphosate ingestion is simply unknown despite what the EPA and Monsanto would have everyone believe.” – Henry Rowlands, Director, The Detox Project

If consumers had any doubt about the extent to which they are being poisoned by Monsanto’s Roundup, these tests results should put those doubts to rest,” – Ronnie Cummins, International Director of Organic Consumers Association 

It’s interesting to note that the testing is on a volunteer bases, and some speculate that people getting tested are more likely than the general public to purchase organic foods and avoid GMOs.

How to Avoid and Detox Endocrine Disruptors

The most common endocrine disruptors we are likely to have in our bodies include Bisphenol–A, AKA BPAs, Phthalates (added to plastics to make them softer and last longer), Parabens, PBDE’s (found in flame retardants) PCB’s, Dioxin: (an unintentional by-product of many industrial processes),  pesticides and herbicides, and heavy metals. It’s a scary list, and there’s obviously many more chemicals we haven’t heard about yet.

The good news is that studies have shown that fresh, raw, organic vegetables detox the body of all of these toxins. It’s becoming more and more imperative that we grow our own food and buy unpackaged, unprocessed food to prepare at home. Get gardening and get detoxing if you’re not already. See the recommended reading list below for more on this.

Conclusion

If you’re ready to send in a sample, unfortunately, the project was put on hold. Due to the enormous interest, they had to temporarily stop the urine and water testing program until they are working with a much larger lab, which is supposed to begin in “summer, 2016.” You can sign up if you’re interested at The Detox Project here.

Recommended Reading:

• Understanding and Detoxifying Genetically Modified Foods
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
•  Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones
• How to Start a Vegetable Garden – How to Grow Vegetables
• How to Start an Organic Garden

Sources:

• Detox Project
• UCSF Presentation Reveals Glyphosate Contamination in People Across America – Organic Consumers Association
• Nine Out of 10 Americans Tested Positive for Monsanto’s Cancer-Linked Weedkiller Glyphosate – Alternet

Even gardeners with a green thumb can be foiled by bad soil. If you’re doing everything right but your plants are still dying, it might be time to take a look below the surface. Learning how to test your soil and use natural amendments to restore it to a healthy type will tremendously help your lawn or garden flourish this season.

The Different Types of Soil

When it comes to your soil, you might be thinking, “Why does it matter? Dirt is dirt”. That’s not exactly the case, though. There are several kinds of soil, and each is different. Each soil type drains differently and has varying levels of nutrients that can impact the growth of your lawn and garden. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the soil types:

• Loamy soil. This kind of soil is the best type for gardening. It tends to be slightly acidic (which lots of plants prefer) and drains well to keep plants hydrated but not soggy.
• Clay soil. When you have clay soil, it tends to be thick and feels sticky when it’s wet. While clay is rich in nutrients, it doesn’t drain well.
• Sandy soil. Sandy soil drains well but doesn’t retain any moisture, which makes it difficult for plants to stay properly watered. Sandy soil is also low in nutrients and won’t feed plants well.
• Silty soil. This soil type is rich in nutrients; however, it can get slimy when wet, resulting in poor drainage.
• Chalky soil. When you’re dealing with chalky soil, you’ll find it is very alkaline and free draining. It dries out very quickly and doesn’t have many nutrients to offer besides calcium.
• Peaty soil. Soil that is peaty is damp and spongy. It will retain moisture well, but drainage can be a problem.

Find out What Kind of Soil You Have

Now that you know about the different soil types, it’s time to do a test to find out what kind of soil you have. Use the following steps to get your soil sample:

• Dig down about six inches and take some soil. If you have a large planting area, you’ll want to test soil from multiple places.
• Put soil in a pint-sized jar until it’s about halfway full. Then, add a few drops of liquid dish soap and fill the jar the rest of the way up with water.
• Put the lid on tightly and shake the jar for about three minutes.
• Put the jar aside and allow 24 hours for all the particles to settle. Once it’s settled, you’ll be able to see the individual layers that make up your soil.

Check Your Soil’s pH

Your soil pH is another important factor in how well things will grow and even what you can grow in your soil. Knowing what the pH of your soil is and how to amend it is a big part of having a healthy garden:

• You can pick up a pH test kit from your local garden center, but if you’re more of a DIY person, there are several options for testing pH at home.
• A pH reading of 7 means your soil is neutral. pH readings below 7 are acidic, and readings above 7 are alkaline. An ideal soil reading will be around 6.5. This means your soil is slightly acidic, and nutrients will dissolve well and be readily available.
• To raise your soil pH, you can add limestone to your soil. The lime will break down in the soil and raise the alkalinity over time.
• To lower your soil pH, sulfur should be added. Peat moss can also be used, but this method isn’t sustainable. Additionally, peat moss has been overharvested in some areas, which may make it difficult or expensive to obtain.
• When amending your soil pH, be sure to check your pH levels regularly and add any amendments slowly over time.

What to Do With Difficult Soil

Many gardeners often dump too much time and too many resources into their lawn before realizing it’s just not working as well as they’d hoped, or it’s taking too long. If you find yourself in this situation — with a soil type or pH that will take too much to fix — you can still have a garden.

You might look at planting raised garden beds and using prepackaged soil. This is a perfect solution to yards that are massive works in progress. A few advantages to a raised garden bed include:

• You can quickly and easily put together a raised garden bed.
• Raised beds are more accessible to gardeners with physical limitations such as arthritis.
• You can often plant earlier since the soil stays warmer in a raised bed.

No matter what challenges are put in front of you, there’s always a way to create your own little slice of heaven by growing a garden. With the right testing processes and soil amendments (or raised garden beds), you’ll have your garden on track and ready to grow in no time.

Infographic created by Safer Brand.

Let’s face it: the majority of celebrities have a leg up in the looks department. But being born beautiful doesn’t mean you stay that way. The damage the body accumulates over time from poor food choices and an excessive use of substances like cigarettes, alcohol, and/or drugs (both recreational and pharmaceutical) can only be disguised with special effects for so long.

Then there are those celebrities who seem to get better looking as they age, prompting countless people to ask, “How do they do it?” Some of Hollywood’s finest have realized that the only way to keep what your momma gave you is through regular exercise and, most importantly, an exemplary diet.

Meryl Streep

Instantly recognizable, Meryl Streep has been appearing in plays, movies, and television since the 1970s. What’s not so well known is her advocacy for organic, local food. Meryl was the founder of a food co-op and CSA when she lived in Connecticut as well as Mothers and Others, a campaign calling for tougher pesticide residue standards. She is meticulous about reading labels and finding the food she eats from trusted sources. Though not a vegetarian, she makes tries to eat less meat and to find grass-fed, organic beef. Her formidable talent is the reason she’s a fixture in prestige pictures, but the fact that she has retained her looks with only a slight luminous softening can be attributed to the smart choices she makes in regards to the food she consumes. Maybe the ketogenic diet had something to do with it?

Lenny Kravitz

Oh, Lenny. A rock star, sex symbol, and renaissance man, he released his first album in 1989. The years since then are the only indication that Lenny is actually aging, as his face remains ever the same. But how? Working out is an important piece in every healthy lifestyle, but that alone doesn’t account for over 25 years of looking fantastic. His secret? Listening to his body.

A vegetarian for 15 years, he then transitioned eating grass-fed, organic meat after he felt his body needed it. Now he focuses on fish (especially as he lives in the Bahamas for much of the year) and vegetables, often from his own organic farm. To round that out, Lenny never goes anywhere without his juicer. He might enjoy a decadent, outrageous cheat every once in awhile, but he knows that staying and looking healthy is about focusing on quality, organic food, especially vegetables.

Jared Leto

Actor Jared Leto is a well-known vegan (or “cheagan”) who’s transformed his body for various roles over the years, a practice that’s given him a unique perspective on how food affects the body. While his Oscar-winning role required him to whittle down to under 120 pounds, another of his jobs required him to gain 67 pounds, which he accomplished through binge-eating foods like giant pizzas. Years of eating well left his body unprepared to deal with the weight, and he experienced problems with his feet and was at one point even using a wheelchair. The experience left Jared more committed to a healthy, active lifestyle, and it’s the reason why the changes to his face between now and the mid-1990s have been so minimal.

Susan Sarandon

We’ve been seeing more of Susan Sarandon in the news lately, whether celebrating the 25th anniversary of her film Thelma and Louise or professing her unabashed love for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. A woman unafraid to speak her mind, she’s also a fantastic advertisement for the benefits of taking care of yourself. She’s credits her exemplary outsides to her insides. A vegetarian for a period of time, she now prefers to eat a diet of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables while limiting red meat, carbs, and refined grains. Susan found that avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol while focusing on eating well, exercising regularly, and practicing deep breathing and visualization has translated to her looking and feeling her best. Yes, the outside reflects the in. It’s no wonder she looks better than ever.

Lucy Liu

Determining Lucy Liu’s age through photos alone is impossible. While she takes advantage of moisturizers, oils, and plants like aloe vera to protect her skin, she also credits what she eats for the longevity of her looks. Drinking lots of water and eating lots fresh fruits and vegetables is the easiest way to take care of your skin. Gluten-free for a while, Lucy takes a common sense approach to her health, with occasional treats but a focus on eating fresh foods balanced with an exercise regimen and meditation. She makes smart choices when it comes to her health as well as her career. You never know where she’ll show up next…but she will look gorgeous.

Jennifer Lopez

She’s been a fly girl, a dancer, singer, and an actress (among other things), and she’s looked damn good the entire time. People who work with Jennifer Lopez, from directors to peers to trainers, all eventually mention one thing: this woman is disciplined. That same discipline is evident in her diet. She snacks on fruits and vegetables, focuses on eating lean meats and nutrient dense foods, and avoids processed foods, fueling her body with the best quality, organic food she can find. Jennifer has always been active, from sports in high school to her years as a dancer to her current commitment to working out. She pairs that activity with an eating regimen that includes salads, other veggies, whole grains, and lean meats. Her lifestyle has allowed her to stay fit and glowing since her first movie role in 1986. It’s easy for Jenny from the Block to remember where she came from when her face in the mirror hasn’t really changed.

Tilda Swinton

An artsy, oddball chameleon capable of disappearing into a role, Tilda Swinton’s distinctive looks render her immediately recognizable no matter her hairstyle or age. She does things on her own terms, and she credits good genes, luck of the draw, and her lifestyle in the Scottish highlands. While the first two are definitely factors, her life in Scotland has her cooking vegetables she grows herself and eating eggs from her own chickens. She’s not forthcoming with the details of her diet, but then she wouldn’t be the mysterious Tilda we know and love if she revealed too many details. All we know is that she likes to keep it simple. It’s clear from looking at the numerous photos of her from her collaborations over the years, that her choices and easy-going lifestyle have left her radiant.

Angela Bassett

Stella got her groove back 18 years ago, but it’s plain to see Angela Bassett never really lost hers. Since her career got going in the nineties, Angela has always maintained that diet is more important than exercise in keeping herself in top shape. Her diet is similar to the Paleo program, with organic lean protein and non-starchy vegetables. She also stays away from processed foods, grain, and sugar. That doesn’t mean she’s willing to sacrifice taste though. Angela tries to keep it interesting by choosing flavorful and passionate food. She especially emphasizes eating non-starchy veggies, and you can tell that she’s willing to put in the work to be as healthy and happy as she can be.

Jason Mraz

He isn’t quite over 40, and he’s only been in the public eye for 15 years or so. But when it comes to eating well and making smart, healthy choices, Jason Mraz is doing some pretty cool stuff. He eats locally whenever possible, travels with his Vita-mix for green smoothies, uses soap and vinegar to manage pests on his avocado farm, and sells the fruits of his labor to Chipotle while donating leftover avocados to local food banks. Mostly vegan after supporting a bandmate with diabetes in trying a vegetarian and raw diet, he makes an exception for eggs from the chickens that provide the fertilizer for his farm. He’s also a big fan of yoga. Hippie much? Yup! Jason is the perfect example of someone who saw what a difference eating well and being healthy can do and took control of his food chain to ensure that he’s eating is the best quality. The proof is in the chocolate avocado pudding (grown on your own avocado farm, of course).

Who Else Is Out There?

We’re never going to know exactly what celebrities eat. Most of the interviews about diet, especially for actresses, talk about how they only eat this or that…but then they mention they still indulge in some particular treat once in awhile in a somewhat vague attempt at relatability. We’re definitely not getting the whole story. For every interview that claims he or she is eating salmon and quinoa salad, there are most likely a hundred different things happening healthwise behind the scenes.

Obviously, genetics play a role here. Some actors are so humble that’s all they will ever attribute their good looks too. But that humility minimizes the importance of  diet is and how the choices they make help maintain their appearance. We are biologically wired to find healthy people more attractive. Makeup and plastic surgery can only hide so many unhealthy choices. Good food means healthy skin, eyes, teeth, and nails, and it gives a person an indefinable aura.

These celebrities are by no means the only celebrities who choose to eat properly, but they are some of the rich and famous who’ve surpassed expectations through the years of being in the public eye. When you see someone on the screen who looks years younger than they actually are, there are probably some serious health stories behind it. Who’s your favorite?

Related Reading:

• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• Candida, Gut Flora, Allergies, and Disease
• Heal Cavities, Gum Disease, Naturally with Organic Oral Care – Toothpaste recipes included
• 5 Famous Tips to Keep Your Skin Young, Healthy, and Radiant
• 8 Easy Steps to Health

Sources

• Role of a Lifetime: Meryl Streep as Eco-Activist Mom – mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com
• The Best Advice You’ll Read From a Rockstar – menshealth.com
• Jared Leto Credits Vegan Diet and Yoga For His Age-Defying Looks – yoganonymous.com
• Susan Sarandon Defies Hollywood by Aging Gracefully and in Great Health – webmd.com
• Skin Deep: Lucy Liu Shares Her Personal Anti-Aging Routine – futureofpersonalhealth.com
• Jennifer Lopez’s Unprocessed Diet is Seriously Impressive – mindbodygreen.com
• Life on Planet Tilda: No TV. Wearing Her Son’s Clothes. Why She, Her Partner, and Her Ex Are All Really Good Friends…and a Very Unflattering View of England – dailymail.co.uk
• Angela Bassett’s Secret: You Have to keep it Interesting – blackdoctor.org
• Jason Mraz: The Accidental Farmer – eatingwell.com

Less than a year ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) lit a fire under the glyphosate controversy when it released the news that glyphosate was a probable carcinogen.

Last year’s report, was made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO’s cancer agency. The conclusion was reached through consideration of publicly available studies.

Now, a joint UN and WHO panel has announced their finding that glyphosate is probably not carcinogenic. What’s worse is that WHO officials are claiming there is no contradiction in their new conclusion, that the first conclusion was identifying a potential hazard while the second was quantifying the associated risk. Huh? Are you wondering if there is another agenda here?

It’s easy enough to follow the money. Panel members have ties to Monsanto and big money, seven figure money, has changed hands.

On the same day as the UN/WHO report made the news, The New York Times reported that a new analysis of GM crops finds that they are safe to eat and do not harm the environment. This conclusion was reached through the review of more than 1,000 studies, the testimony of 80 witnesses, and the analysis of comments from the public.

Though the committee says many of the animal feeding studies were too small to provide firm conclusions, they still deemed these crops safe. Those following this debate know that animal studies have shown they are dangerous, causing reproductive damage, organ damage, and cancers, but only in long term studies. It is the long-term studies that the biotech firms have avoided as they complete one short-term study after another to “prove” the safety of their products.

Both of these reports came out days before the European Union is scheduled to vote on relicensing glyphosate, a multi-billion dollar decision for the biotech industry.

Recommended Reading:

• Understanding and Detoxifying Genetically Modified Foods
• Scientists Against GMOs – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research
• Doctors Against GMOs – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research
• Celebrities Against GMOs

Sources:

• UN/WHO panel in conflict of interest row over glyphosate cancer risk – The Guardian
• Genetically Engineered Crops Are Safe, Analysis Finds – The New York Times
• U.N. experts find weed killer glyphosate unlikely to cause cancer – Reuters