Celebrate Heart Health Month
American Heart Month is our nation’s annual reminder to take care of the most important and perhaps most neglected organ in the human body. A heart-healthy diet and lifestyle should be a year-round, life-long effort, this month, next month and always. And it's not too late to start taking better care of our hearts, or helping someone else do the same.
Although we can’t change some risk factors, such as age and heredity, many factors—including cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, and inactivity—can be modified, thus significantly lowering the risk of heart disease. And because lifestyle habits (e.g. diet, exercise, and appropriate supplementation) can strongly influence these modifiable risk factors, here are 10 lifestyle strategies you can implement to promote a healthy heart.
Ten Lifestyle Strategies for Promoting a Healthy Heart:
1. Make more healthful food choices.
2. Lose the belly fat and keep it off.
3. Get more of the “sunshine” vitamin.
4. Go fishing with omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Protect your body against free radicals and oxidative stress.
6. Boost your phytonutrient intake.
7. Fill up on fiber.
8. Find a friend in Coenzyme Q10.
10. Take time to De-stress.
Demand Obama Stop Monsanto's GE Alfalfa!
Many of us are gravely concerned about the completely irresponsible and inevitably disastrous decision on the part of the USDA to approve Monsanto's Roundup-Ready alfalfa. This would effectively mean the end of organic alfalfa in the US, as genetic pollution from the GMO crop inevitably spreads to all alfalfa. Organic alfalfa is not only used for alfalfa supplements but is also necessary for organic dairy farmers. There are many ways to make our voice heard, including sending email petitions like the one being organized by Food & Water Watch and other responsible organizations. Perhaps the best way is to pass on comments directly via email to the White House at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact. Also contacting our Senators and Congress Members is helpful as well.
As disappointing and incredible as it is that the USDA decided to approve RR alfalfa in the face of overwhelming evidence of harm. That's why our voices directly to the administration and our Representatives need to be heard, and LOUDLY! Please share this with your circle of influence and stand together for food safety.
As disappointing and incredible as it is that the USDA decided to approve RR alfalfa in the face of overwhelming evidence of harm. That's why our voices directly to the administration and our Representatives need to be heard, and LOUDLY! Please share this with your circle of influence and stand together for food safety.
USDA Green Lights Monsanto GE Alfalfa
The Center for Food Safety criticized the announcement today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that it will once again allow unlimited, nation-wide commercial planting of Monsanto’s genetically-engineered (GE) Roundup Ready alfalfa, despite the many risks to organic and conventional farmers USDA acknowledged in its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The Agency’s decision still places the entire burden for preventing contamination on non-GE farmers, with no protections for food producers, consumers and exporters.
“We’re disappointed with USDA’s decision and we will be back in court representing the interest of farmers, preservation of the environment, and consumer choice” said Andrew Kimbrell, Executive Director for the Center for Food Safety. “USDA has become a rogue agency in its regulation of biotech crops and its decision to appease the few companies who seek to benefit from this technology comes despite increasing evidence that GE alfalfa will threaten the rights of farmers and consumers, as well as damage the environment.”
In a precedent-setting final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the planting of Monsanto’s genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) acknowledges for the first time that GE contamination of organic and conventionally grown crops presents a huge problem in the U.S. Yet, the document falls woefully short of proving that GE alfalfa is safe for the environment or that it will afford all farmers their fair share of the US agricultural economy. In fact, the EIS sorely lacks the type of rigorous scientific data and analysis that the public expects from the Agency to justify going forward with any type of deregulation of GE alfalfa.
The modified alfalfa seed at the heart of the dispute has been engineered to be resistant to Monsanto’s flagship herbicide, Roundup. Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown crop in the U.S. and a key source of dairy hay forage. As the first perennial crop proposed to be genetically engineered, alfalfa is open-pollinated by bees, which can cross-pollinate at distances of several miles, spreading the patented, foreign DNA to conventional and organic crops. Such biological contamination threatens the livelihood of organic farmers and dairies, since U.S. Organic standards prohibit genetic engineering, and threaten conventional alfalfa exports, since most overseas governments and alfalfa importers reject GE-contaminated crops.
Toxins Found in Pregnant Women
Multiple chemicals, including some banned since the 1970s and others used in items such as nonstick cookware, furniture, processed foods and beauty products, were found in the blood and urine of pregnant U.S. women, according to a UCSF study being released today.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, marks the first time that the number of chemicals to which pregnant women are exposed has been counted, the authors said.
Of the 163 chemicals studied, 43 of them were found in virtually all 268 pregnant women in the study. They included polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, a prohibited chemical linked to cancer and other health problems; organochlorine pesticides; polybrominated diphenyl ethers, banned compounds used as flame retardants; and phthalates, which are shown to cause hormone disruption.... Read full article by clicking here.
We can't eliminate toxins but we can reduce them by making smart choices. Here are just a few smart choices we can make for our family. Choose organic when possible, limit plastic (and never cook with plastic), use non-toxic cleaning products, cosmetics/skin care and filtered water.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, marks the first time that the number of chemicals to which pregnant women are exposed has been counted, the authors said.
Of the 163 chemicals studied, 43 of them were found in virtually all 268 pregnant women in the study. They included polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, a prohibited chemical linked to cancer and other health problems; organochlorine pesticides; polybrominated diphenyl ethers, banned compounds used as flame retardants; and phthalates, which are shown to cause hormone disruption.... Read full article by clicking here.
We can't eliminate toxins but we can reduce them by making smart choices. Here are just a few smart choices we can make for our family. Choose organic when possible, limit plastic (and never cook with plastic), use non-toxic cleaning products, cosmetics/skin care and filtered water.
Happy New Year!
Solutions for New Year's Resolutions!
It's a great time of year. People everywhere are making commitments and promising themselves and others to do something differently in 2011. Usually, these promises are about becoming healthier - physically, financially or in personal growth. It is amazing how many of the Top Ten New Year's Resolutions fall into these areas:
Lose weight and get fit
Quit smoking
Learn something new
Eat healthier
Get out of debt and save money
Spend more time with family
Travel to new places
Be less stressed
Volunteer – make a difference
Drink less alcohol
Generally, people need more than a commitment and a promise in order to keep their resolutions. They need a path - to better health and a better life. Otherwise, most of us end up making the same resolutions and goals the following year.
I love the beginning of the New Year. We all have a chance to start over with our goals and dreams. We can build upon our successes of the past year or start over on a new path.
It's a great time of year. People everywhere are making commitments and promising themselves and others to do something differently in 2011. Usually, these promises are about becoming healthier - physically, financially or in personal growth. It is amazing how many of the Top Ten New Year's Resolutions fall into these areas:
Lose weight and get fit
Quit smoking
Learn something new
Eat healthier
Get out of debt and save money
Spend more time with family
Travel to new places
Be less stressed
Volunteer – make a difference
Drink less alcohol
Generally, people need more than a commitment and a promise in order to keep their resolutions. They need a path - to better health and a better life. Otherwise, most of us end up making the same resolutions and goals the following year.
I love the beginning of the New Year. We all have a chance to start over with our goals and dreams. We can build upon our successes of the past year or start over on a new path.
S510 attached to HR 3082 - Call Your Senators Today!
The House Voted 212 to 205 When the House Shamefully Attached S510's language to HR 3082.
Why is their act shameful? Two reasons. First, the contents of S. 510 is anti-health, anti-supplements, anti-freedom, anti-small business and anti-clean food. Second, the regulatory language of S. 510 should never have been attached to a Continuing Resolution, which is an administrative bill allowing the government of the United States to continue its activities by funding it.
Please help stop S.510 as a tack-on via HR 1755 to HR 3082.
1. Take Action NOW for each member of your household to tell your Senators that you STRONGLY OPPOSE adopting the language of S. 510 in this or any other amendment or bill:
Visit http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm, enter your State to find your Senators' names and phone numbers. CALL THEM! If the line is busy... Keep trying. Here is an example message to give the person who answers:
"I am calling to strongly oppose adopting the language of S. 510, the so-called Food Safety Modernization Act. This language is currently attached to 'CR/Food Safety House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3082 - Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011/FDA Food Safety Modernization Act' which has been sent to the Senate. I urge Senator [name] in the strongest possible terms to vote against this dangerous, unnecessary and expensive amendment and to oppose this language in any bill or amendment."
2. Follow the action in the Senate: http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/d_three_sections_with_teasers/calendars.htm
Senate Record Votes (updated every 20 minutes) - http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm
Follow the action in the House: http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html
House Floor Video: http://clerk.house.gov/legislative/
The Majority Whip keeps track of pending bills here: http://majoritywhip.gov/index.cfm?p=DailyWhipline
Why is their act shameful? Two reasons. First, the contents of S. 510 is anti-health, anti-supplements, anti-freedom, anti-small business and anti-clean food. Second, the regulatory language of S. 510 should never have been attached to a Continuing Resolution, which is an administrative bill allowing the government of the United States to continue its activities by funding it.
Please help stop S.510 as a tack-on via HR 1755 to HR 3082.
1. Take Action NOW for each member of your household to tell your Senators that you STRONGLY OPPOSE adopting the language of S. 510 in this or any other amendment or bill:
Visit http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm, enter your State to find your Senators' names and phone numbers. CALL THEM! If the line is busy... Keep trying. Here is an example message to give the person who answers:
"I am calling to strongly oppose adopting the language of S. 510, the so-called Food Safety Modernization Act. This language is currently attached to 'CR/Food Safety House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3082 - Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011/FDA Food Safety Modernization Act' which has been sent to the Senate. I urge Senator [name] in the strongest possible terms to vote against this dangerous, unnecessary and expensive amendment and to oppose this language in any bill or amendment."
2. Follow the action in the Senate: http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/d_three_sections_with_teasers/calendars.htm
Senate Record Votes (updated every 20 minutes) - http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm
Follow the action in the House: http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html
House Floor Video: http://clerk.house.gov/legislative/
The Majority Whip keeps track of pending bills here: http://majoritywhip.gov/index.cfm?p=DailyWhipline
S510 Not Dead Yet....
The Battle for Our Food Freedom Isn't Over Yet!
Politicians are maneuvering and manipulating to the last moment to pass S 510...
The Senate passed S 510, however it us unconstitutional for the bill to originate in the Senate because it would raise revenue. However, that is not stopping them!
According to Sen. Coburn's Office: "As far as we know there may be an attempt to insert the Senate bill language [S. 510] into a "must pass" bill (such as a budget bill in the House) and send that back to the Senate... if it is returned as as a stand-alone bill, there is probably not enough time to debate and pass it this session, but if it is part of another, already scheduled bill, we don't know what will happen."
Unfortunately, they are not giving up and we cannot either. Please continue to call and email your Representatives and Senators! It is urgent that we stop this bill and save our food freedoms!
Sign the petition at Citizen's For Health
http://www.citizens.org/?page_id=2312
Call your Representatives and Senator's today!
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Politicians are maneuvering and manipulating to the last moment to pass S 510...
The Senate passed S 510, however it us unconstitutional for the bill to originate in the Senate because it would raise revenue. However, that is not stopping them!
According to Sen. Coburn's Office: "As far as we know there may be an attempt to insert the Senate bill language [S. 510] into a "must pass" bill (such as a budget bill in the House) and send that back to the Senate... if it is returned as as a stand-alone bill, there is probably not enough time to debate and pass it this session, but if it is part of another, already scheduled bill, we don't know what will happen."
Unfortunately, they are not giving up and we cannot either. Please continue to call and email your Representatives and Senators! It is urgent that we stop this bill and save our food freedoms!
Sign the petition at Citizen's For Health
http://www.citizens.org/?page_id=2312
Call your Representatives and Senator's today!
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
