For years our school systems have been feeding our children from boxes and cans. Prepackaged, processed foods and fried foods are the standard. Meals made from scratch with fresh whole fruits and vegetables are too expensive for the most of our schools’ meal budgets. And the schools supplement their budgets with vending machines filled with soda and sugared snacks and chips.

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The result has been two-fold: our children’s mental/psychological welfare has suffered and so has their health. We’ve conducted studies that have proven a truly nutritious lunch program results in a sharp rise in academic ability and a decrease in conduct problems. And yet, current practices continue.

We know the way we feed our children contributes to poor health, including obesity, and yet we continue. Not only are we “saving money” with our current lunch program, we are supporting big business.

But the status quo will soon change. Why? Because we’ve seen the light? Because we recognize how truly stupid it is to ignore the nutritional needs of growing children? Because we’ve recognized the link between poor nutrition and chronic or terminal illnesses? Or declining test scores?

No. It seems we may change the way we feed our children because we are running out of soldiers.

Mission Readiness, a group of retired military leaders, is lobbying to eliminate junk food from the schools because obesity is the leading medical reason military applicants are rejected; 27% of military age Americans are too obese to serve.

These pesky blisters are painful, ugly, and slow to heal. What we call cold sores or fever blisters are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Herpes infections are reoccurring, plaguing us in times of high stress or other illness such as a cold or fever—hence the name. It is said that most of us have acquired this virus by the age of 20.

These blisters are red raised areas filled with fluid. Several small blisters often merge to form a larger one.  They appear on the lips, the roof of the mouth, in the nose, or on the face. Once they rupture, bright red skin is exposed that scabs over.

Canker sores form on the tongue, the gums, and the inner sides and the base of the mouth. They appear as white or yellow blisters circled in red. These sores are actually ulcers, small bacterial infections. They can be caused by irritation or injury to the mouth from orthodontia, sharp foods, or rough toothbrushes; by food allergies; or from vitamin deficiencies such as iron, folate, or vitamin C or vitamin B12.

Both infections may include swollen lymph nodes and flu like symptoms.

Also check out Natural Remedies for Cold Sores, and Natural Remedies for Canker Sores

For fifty years, fluoride has been added to municipal water across America. We’ve been told it makes our teeth stronger and prevents decay. In recent years we have learned that fluoride is actually industrial waste, that tests were never done by the FDA to assess its safety, and that its use in drinking water was first suggested by the Nazis as one of many means to dumb down society through ingestion of toxins. None of these revelations has resulted in its removal from our water supply, not when the mainstream belief that fluoride inhibits tooth decay remains firm.

A recent Fox News interview with dentist Gerald Curatola reveals a new threat from fluoride—fluoridosis. He states, “Forty one percent of adolescents age twelve to fifteen have some form of fluoridosis defects on their teeth. And this ironically makes the enamel of the teeth weaker, not stronger.”

Fluroidosis is caused by “over-exposure” to fluoride. Mild symptoms of fluoridosis are white spots on the teeth. Severe fluoridosis erodes the teeth. They become so soft, they crumble.

“…if this is what we can see the effects of fluoride are on the outside,” said Dr. Curatola, “you know, we start to question what the effects of fluoride are inside the body.”

Since some non-fluoridated communities report less tooth decay than fluoridated communities, perhaps new interest by legislators calling for a review of the fluoridation issue will result in safer water.

Home sprouters aren’t limited to the few commercially grown sprouts sold in grocery stores. There are many types of seeds you can sprout in your kitchen year round: lentil, mung bean, radish, mustard, adzuki, sunflower, clover, quinoa, chia, flax, and more. Home sprouting opens the door to variety and to the following five benefits:

1. Living Superfood

Sprouts are live, alkalizing superfoods exploding with energy and nutrients that literally make your meals come alive.

Microgreens, the bigger greens such as sunflower greens and pea greens and grasses such as wheatgrass, barley grass and rye grass, are a very rich source of chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll’s chemical structure is almost identical to the hemoglobin in our red blood cells. While chlorophyll has magnesium in its center, hemoglobin contains iron. Otherwise the chemical composition is the same. This is the reason why green drinks full of chlorophyll are good for re-building the blood.

2.  Pure and Un-Processed Food

Always make sure your sprouting seeds are organic!

With all the environmental toxins and chemicals our bodies are exposed to on a daily basis, sprouts offer a rare toxin-free food choice easily assimilated and utilized by your cells.

Many raw food advocates believe you can detox your body, clean out accumulated garbage from fat cells, and rebuild a healthy glowing body with pure living food.

The abundant nutrients in sprouts are the real deal, designed by Mother Nature.

3. Economically Responsible Anywhere Anytime.

Home sprouting provides fresh food year round for pennies on the dollar.

Wheatgrass is commonly sold at juice bars in the United States for more than four dollars a shot, while homegrown wheatgrass costs 33 cents a shot.

Alfalfa seeds cost around eight dollars a pound. One pound of alfalfa seed will produce more than ten pounds of alfalfa sprouts. That same eight dollars can get you four, two ounce packages of commercially grown sprouts. And since store-bought sprouts have been harvested prematurely, shipped, and shelved, they are not fresh and they don’t last very long.

It pays to be a home sprouter!

4. Great for Weight Loss/ Ideal Weight Management

Sprouts are a low calorie food with a super high nutrient value. By including sprouts in our diet, we provide the body with the energy and nutrients it needs to cleanse, detoxify, and rebuild itself.

5. The Rewards of Home Gardening

It is rewarding to be a home gardener and to eat your own fresh produce. Gardening is a green thing!

It’s easier to sprout indoors where you can control the growing environment than it is to grow food in an outdoor garden where you are up against insects, animals, extreme temperatures, and long growing periods. Your sprouts will be ready from a few days to a few weeks depending on what type of seed you’re growing. For instance, lentil sprouts will be ready in two to three days, whereas greens like wheatgrass need to grow for two weeks.

When I was living in Austin, Texas I spent hundreds of dollars constructing a garden and bringing in premium organic soil. I diligently watered my precious heirloom and cherry tomatoes for weeks. As they were ripening the birds came in. My dog, who loves to case birds on walks, ignored them. What kind of garden patrol is that? The next day I saw a squirrel with a yellow heirloom running up the pecan tree!

I went inside and rinsed my sprouts and was so thankful for indoor gardening! At least I got to harvest my sprouts. They were still pulsing with life, an abundant source of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals ready to nourish me and not the squirrel!

Remember, sprouts are a time tested superfood that has been eaten for 5,000 years.  When will you start your indoor garden?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the new, seemingly natural products on the market—just walk down the beauty aisle of your grocery store or step into a Sephora. What’s not so clear is what’s genuinely better for our overall health. Organic products cost more—sometimes a lot more. Are they really worth the extra money?

PARABENS—As Bad as They Sound?

Parabens are used to extend the shelf-life of most of our beauty products, but having products that stick around for long periods of time may not be as desirable as you may think. According to the American Cancer Society, “Studies have shown that parabens, which are used as preservatives in many skin care products (like lotion, make-up, and sunscreen), can be absorbed through the skin. In 2004, a small study found traces of parabens in some samples of breast cancer tumors.” What’s more, parabens have estrogen-like properties, which cause your cells (cancerous or not) to grow and divide. However, it’s important to note that the study did not look at paraben levels in normal tissue.

More cause for concern lies in the fact that the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act doesn’t authorize the FDA to approve cosmetic ingredients. Within the FDA, there is virtually no regulation of the ingredients in our makeup, hair care, or lotions. Instead, companiesvoluntarily test their products with the Cosmetic Industry Review (CIR) process. This is in stark contrast to the European Union that has some of the strictest cosmetic laws in the world. To put things in perspective, the EU Cosmetic Directive bans 1100 ingredients, whereas the FDA has banned only nine. In a 2008 statement given by Jane Houlihan, the Vice President of Research at the Environmental Working Group, she said, “Companies are free to use almost any ingredient they choose in personal care products, with no proof of safety required.”

PHTHALATES—The Truth About Plastics

Phthalates are found in plastics—plastic storage containers, water bottles, and some food packaging. They have become a part of our modern lifestyle. The Environmental Working Group has found, “Phthalate plasticizers [are] linked to birth defects of the male reproductive system.” The statement went on to say, “Over the past four years, scientists have published at least 10 epidemiology studies linking phthalates to birth defects in baby boys, reproductive problems in men, abdominal obesity, increased diabetes risk, thyroid problems, as well as asthma and dermal diseases in children.”

It should come as no surprise to learn that the EU has banned several types of phthalates, whereas none are banned in the U.S., though the evidence of the harmful effects phthalates have on the human body is very clear. Not only do these plasticizers interfere with human development, evidence also suggests these chemicals weaken bones, and current research is being done to determine whether or not phthalates are endocrine disrupters.

FRAGRANCES—Should We Avoid What Smells Good?

Who doesn’t want to use fabric softeners or dishwashing liquid that smells like lemons or lavender? The fragrance-free versions often seem bland in comparison. But a lot of people are highly sensitive to fragrances which should lead us to wonder, what’s in those fragrances? And more importantly, what are the effects of using fragrances on our skin, on our clothes, and in our cleaning products?

According to the Cancer Prevention Coalition, “Fragrances and perfumes in cosmetics, personal and household products are leading causes of allergy, sensitization, and irritation. Animal toxicity studies have found many to be hazardous. Fragrances are called ‘indoor air-pollutants’ by chemically sensitive individuals.”

Thousands of synthetic ingredients are used by the fragrance industry to create the perfumes and lotions we love to spritz and slather on. What’s more, fragranced products contain phthalates, which pose countless health concerns. In America, individual perfume ingredients don’t have to be listed on the product. Typically we only see “fragrance” on the label when in fact it may have taken twenty-five or more ingredients to make that one unique fragrance.

Is The Tide Turning?

Over the last few years there has been increased pressure on cosmetic companies to produce cleaner, safer products—and it looks like the companies are starting to listen. According to the Environmental Working Group, Whole Foods, the largest natural food retailer in the U.S., has disallowed the use of phthalates in products bearing its Whole Body Premium Standard Seal. It’s also worth noting that The Body Shop has already phased out many phthalates in its line of products.

But there is still more work to do. If you are interested in getting involved in the fight for better regulation of our cosmetic products, make a point of contacting your local government officials or state officials. Let them know cosmetic industry regulation is important to you and your families. Another way to get involved is to simply buy from companies that have taken measures to eliminate toxic chemicals. Look for products that are paraben-free and fragrance-free or better yet, 100% organic. And pay attention to the packaging of your foods and beauty products, which all too often contain phthalates. Look for glass containers. Remember, you can send a message with every dollar you spend.

For more information on product safety check out:

Healthystuff.org—A comprehensive website that allows you to search by brand to see what may be lurking in your apparel, children’s toys, and pet products. Healthystuff.org has tested thousands of products and keeps consumers informed of the latest news in consumer protection

Cosmeticdatabase.org—This site contains the Skin Deep database created by the Environmental Working Group. This database is very comprehensive—you search for a brand and you can immediately learn whether your product is considered to be a low hazard product or a high hazard product. You can also learn safer shopping tips and explore the frequently asked questions page, which offers an abundance of good information.

No Shampoo!

I am a clean freak as well as a water baby. A Cancer with Pisces rising and a Cancer moon, I always loved the water so much I should have been born a mermaid. For most of my life, I bathed or showered every morning and often at night as well.

A few years ago, my son presented me with a gift—a basket full of organic soaps. They were wonderful! I loved the shape, the smell, the texture. But the strangest thing happened—by using organic soaps I discovered that I no longer needed to use deodorant. Seriously. No body odor, not even on hot sweaty days.

I don’t know the science behind it, but my best guess is that antibacterial soap strips the body’s natural oils that protect the skin and kills off the good bacteria that keep the bad bacteria on our skin in check.

These days I refuse to use any soap that isn’t organic. I know my skin soaks up toxins and chemicals from anything I put on it, so I am organic all the way. Due to organic soap, I don’t need to bathe more than every other day to every three days. But I’ve always showered or bathed every morning just to wash my hair! If I washed it at night, it would still look good in the morning, but by the afternoon—yuck.

For years I’ve tried to train my hair to need less washing. Remember the good old days when women washed their hair once a week? It’s just a matter of discipline, right? I knew over-cleansing my hair, washing it once a day since I was thirteen, had screwed up the natural balance of oils. But I could never seem to go more than two days without washing, and day two had to be a stay-at-home day. So imagine my interest when I kept seeing articles from women who have stopped shampooing their hair and raved about the results. These “no-poo” gals say it takes up to six weeks of not shampooing for the scalp’s oil glands to readjust and start working properly again. They said the change after six weeks was remarkable, that their hair was healthier and more beautiful than ever before, that they would never use shampoo again!

So I thought about the similarity between the cause and effect of antibacterialsoap and body odor and the cause and effect of shampoos and excessive hair oil and decided I would take the challenge. From day two through day four I scraped my hair into a ponytail and suffered—until I couldn’t stand it anymore. On the fourth night I gave up and washed my hair.

A few weeks later, I decided to try again. On day six, my hair looked like it was full of gel. I could hold it up or out and it would stay put for a while. But instead of giving up again, I went back to the net and did more research.  I read one article about four women who committed to a six week trial. Two loved the results; two never adjusted. Then I found several articles where the successful “no-poo” gals talked about rinsing their hair with baking soda mixed in water as needed. They also recommended an additional rinse with water and apple cider vinegar if the hair was dry. Dry? With all this oil?

Well, I decided to give it a try. I used a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water and poured it through my hair, then rinsed with plain water. When my hair dried, it felt like silk. Each individual shaft of hair was coated in natural oil, not too much, not too little, just enough. My hair was full, shiny, and showing off its natural wave. It was beautiful! And it felt better than it has ever felt after any conditioner or oil treatment. And today? The day after? Perfect! It looks like I washed it and conditioned it this morning, only better. It shines and curls and is completely manageable. My fine hair has body and volume it never had before. I have officially joined the ranks of the “no-poo” gals. I don’t need another five weeks. I’m a convert!

Note: it has now been three months since I originally wrote this article and I am still a convert. My hair is wonderful. I rinse it with baking soda water once or twice a week and occasionally rinse it in between. A final rinse with apple cider vinegar and water closes the cuticle on the hair shaft. This helps prevent breakage. My hair is stronger, thicker, and easier to manage than ever before. To think I used to wash my hair every morning just to remove excess oil that was caused by my shampoo.

Recommended Reading:

• Hypothyroidism – Prevention and Natural Remedies
• The Power of Our Hormones and How To Balance Them
• Reverse Gray Hair Naturally
• Natural Hair Loss Baldness Remedies and Cures