Monday, December 26, 2005

Have you ever seen the movie, "The day after Tomorrow"?

We had a pretty typical Christmas yesterday at the McAsey house. We got up opened gifts, fixed some food to take to Grandma's house, then spent most of the afternoon at Grandma's, then came home to take care of the animals and settled down to relax. Well for me that is when the typical Christmas day changed...

It was the movie that we turned on that is the reason for my post today. If you have never seen the movie "The day after Tomorrow" I suggest if you care anything at all what the earth will be like for future generations, you take the time to watch the movie.

It's one of those future-i-stick (I'm not sure if that is a word, but that's what I would call it) movies. Basically the story is about what might happen to the earth if we don't take care of it and reduce the ozone emissions. In the movie the emissions change the weather patterns on earth, there is a big flood and then a terrible storm that makes everything resemble the ice age. There is a panic for every on to head south. etc...

Anyway after seeing that movie it just made me realize, that some of the changes I made in my life style several years ago wasn't only necesary for me and everyone living on earth today, but also for our future generations. I know for me I work really hard to see that my kids, future grand kids, and many generations after that can live and enjoy a earth that isn't polluted, and storms like what I saw in the movie doesn't actually happen to us.

Originally I was forced into changing my lifestyle to a chemically free more natural lifestyle... but as I look back on what happened to me I'm so thankful that I was forced into a healthier lifestyle. Read more here.

At Grandma's yesterday, there was this wonderful plate of mixed nuts that looked so good.. well as grandma put them down I naturally picked up a couple and started eating... then she stared was telling me what she had coated them with. Everything she said sounded OK until she mentioned something called "Splenda" (not sure I spelled that right) well immedatly I stopped chewing wondering if that splenda stuff had nutrisweet in it... man you don't think about going to grandma's house and worrying about what you put in your mouth!

My sister who saw my face said oh don't worry it's just frutose (the natural form of sugar). Man I hate those tech-no-bable names! Why don't they just say natural form of sugar!

As most of you know who read this blog very often, I have a strong passion for living in a chemically-free environment. That is one of the reasons I'm so passionate about the Barefoot Secret Company I market products for... not only do they make their products " In Harmnony with Nature" they are considered a climate Neutral Company. That means what ever they take from the environment they put back into it. My understanding of this is what ever the emit into the atmosphere they turn around and plant enough trees or plants to offset those emissions. I believe they were one of the first companies to do this.

Another milestone for the Barefoot Secret Company is about happen also... come January 1st they will be celebrating 50 years in business. With all the scams on the internet these days I'm so proud to be associated with a company that is the largest longest operating natural supplement company in the USA!

If you stop to think about the Barefoot Secret Company it's amazing they could be in the top 10 of all network marketing companies and be only in 5 countries.. most of the others in the top 10 list are global companies! That is one of the reason's for my passion with this company.. we have so much to share with other parts of the world, the owner Roger Barnett is stratgizing for growth to 50 countries in the next 10 years.

After watching the movie last night I figure that is what has to happen, because what good does it do if everyone in the USA learns to protect the environment the way I have through these products and on the other side of the world they are doing nothing.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

You be the judge... What is toxic and what's not

This was written by Bonnie Edkin an Environmental Chemist. It really puts things in perspective...

I saw the posting recently about All Purpose H being listed on the Toxic Nation web site. My apologies. I had wanted to respond earlier, but just wasn’t able to at the time. My friend Mary Moore, a distributor in Canada, helped to put a fire under my feet and get me moving with a response. GRIN.

The posting mentioned that the Toxic Nation web site
(underneath the listing for All Purpose-H) says “Note: D-limonene is a hazardous substance, although it is derived from a natural source. We do not recommend it for frequent use.” You were wondering what that meant. So, here are a few points that might be helpful.

Oh, but first . . . just a side point . . . the “Guide to Less Toxic
Products” isn’t actually part of the “Toxic Nation” web site. Rather, the
Toxic Nation site has a link on it that takes you to this guide. The guide
itself is part of the web site for the “Environmental Health Association of
Nova Scotia” at ;

But, now, back to the question.

Here are a few answers to some questions that I think will be helpful.

1.) Does the note about d-limonene refer to All Purpose H?

No, it does not. Yeah, I know, for those of you who took the time to look
at the web site, you’re probably thinking something like “but that IS what
the web site indicated!” So, why do I say that the part about d-limonene
doesn’t have anything to do with All Purpose H?

I know it may look that way when you first look at the list, but, if you
look closely at the information on the “Guide to Less Toxic Products,” you’
ll notice that information about d-limonene is really a footnote to an
earlier paragraph (the paragraph above the list of products under the
heading “All Purpose Cleaner”). That paragraph says . . .

“Cleaners may contain ammonia, a strong irritant which can also cause kidney
and liver damage, butyl cellusolve which is neurotoxic and rapidly
penetrates skin, and ortho phenylphenol which is a severe eye and skin
irritant. Many all-purpose cleaners contain DEA and TEA which can react with
nitrites (added as undisclosed preservatives or present as contaminants) to
form carcinogenic nitrosomines which readily penetrate the skin. Many
coloured products are made with carcinogenic coal tar colours. Hormone
disrupting parabens may be used as preservatives. Many cleaners also include
fragrances and detergents. Alternative brands may contain d-limonene, a
sensitizer which can also cause respiratory distress as well as liver,
kidney and nervous system damage.”

Immediately following that paragraph, it provides two lists and then the
footnote about d-limonene. The first list, which cites nine products, is
called “Less Toxic Alternatives.” This is followed by a list called
“Simply Unscented” and this is where All Purpose H appears. All Purpose H is the only
product listed in the Simply Unscented list.

Next comes the footnote about d-limonene that says ” Note: D-limonene is a
hazardous substance, although it is derived from a natural source. We do
not recommend it for frequent use.” This footnote is simply providing
information about what was stated earlier in the earlier paragraph about
d-limonene. It is not meant to be connected to All Purpose H.

How can you be sure of that?

Look carefully at the products mentioned in the “Less Toxic Alternatives”
list. Notice that when there is any caution regarding a product, that
caution appears in parentheses on the same line with that product in the
list. You can see an example of what I’m talking about if you look at the
product “20 Mule Team Borax” which appears in the “Less Toxic” list. If the
footnote about d-limonene were meant to be associated with All Purpose H, the
publishers would have placed that information in parentheses immediately
after Basic-H (by “immediately after” I mean specifically continuing on the
same line with All Purpose H, not a spaced line below it).



2.) What’s in All Purpose H? Are you sure there’s no d-limonene in it?

Thanks to Mary Moore, here’s the ingredient list for Barefoot Secret Canada All Purpose H
(I’m assuming, Carol, since you were looking at the Toxic Nation web site
that you were looking for information for products found in Canada):

H All Purpose Cleaner: Butylated Hydroxytoluene, D&C Green #5, Dowicil
75, Hydrochloric Acid (to adjust pH), Linear Alcohol Alkoxylate,
Methylparaben, Pareth 25-7, Water

Btw, Mare tells me this information is available via the Technical Handbook
as shown on the Shaklee.ca website (under the Library heading under
Technical Info and then under Technical Handbook, Part C).

(US Distributors, please note that the US formulation for All Purpose-H is
different. The US All Puropse-H contains linear alcohol alkoxylates.)

Notice that d-limonene is not an ingredient.



3.) Good grief, what on earth is d-limonene anyway? And, what are the
concerns with this compound? Just how terrified should I be of this stuff?

Look at the word. What does it remind you of? Limes, perhaps?

Here’s what the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia’s web site
says (that’s the web site where the Guide to Less Toxic Products is found):

“D-limonene - This chemical is produced by cold-pressing orange peels. The
extracted oil is 90% d-limonene. It is a sensitizer, a neurotoxin, a
moderate eye and skin irritant, and can trigger respiratory distress when
vapours are inhaled by some sensitive individuals. There is some evidence
of carcinogenicity. D-limonene is the active ingredient in some
insecticides. It is used as a solvent in many all-purpose cleaning products,
especially 'citrus' and 'orange' cleaners. Also listed on labels as citrus
oil and orange oil.”

So, let’s talk a little bit about that paragraph. D-limonene is a
naturally-occuring compound found in citrus fruits. It is obtained
commercially by cold-pressed from orange peels.

Ever make a lemon meringue pie and grate some lemon rind in it? Ever make
home-made lemonade (or lime-ade) by cutting up fresh lemons (or limes) and
boiling the pieces in water. Or, perhaps you’ve “freshened” the air in your
home by doing that – boiling some citrus fruit in some water on the stove.

If so, you’ve been exposed to d-limonene. No doubt you are twitching right
now from the serious neurotoxic effects of this compound – or if not yet,
you soon will be. (Okay, really, I am just joking.)

I don’t mean to minimize the potential consequences of the 90% d-limonene
oil that the “Less Toxic” list is talking about. Rather, I am trying to
illustrate how important it is to give thoughtful consideration to things
that can, IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, be considered hazardous.

D-limonene is considered an eye and skin irritant. Think about that for a
minute . . .

I don’t mind eating an orange, but I surely do not like it at all when some
of the juice squirts into my eye. I’m sure you’ve had that happen. You’re
peeling the orange or pulling the sections apart and some of the juice
squirts right into your eye. Ouch! Now, if you stood in your kitchen all
day long squirting orange juice into your eyes, I’m quite sure your eyes
would become irritated. Yet (assuming you’re not allergic to citrus fruit),
you’re probably not concerned about eating oranges – even though the juice
is an “eye irritant.” I have no qualms about grating a little fresh
(organically-grown) lime, lemon, or orange peel into something I’m making.
Yep. Even though I know the peel contains d-limonene. That small amount is
quite a bit different from the “90% d-limonene” oil that’s used to make some
cleaning products.

What about onions? Does chopping onions irritate your eyes? But, do you
eat onions? Probably. What if you put fresh lemon juice on your skin
several times a day? Do you think it just might irritate the skin a bit?

I’m using these examples to illustrate how something can be either “good” or
“bad” depending on how it is used. It’s our responsibility to carefully
evaluate what we read and figure out (and, yes, sometimes we need help
figuring this out) if some news article or something we’ve read on the ‘Net
or something some “expert” has said really is a cause for genuine concern –
or, was the person or organization simply trying to “sell” (or promote) a
headline or a product or an ideology.

The reason I am saying all of this about how something can be “good” or
“bad” depending on how it’s used, etc, is because people have a tendency to
look at an MSDS – material safety data sheet – for an ingredient in a
product and apply that information to the final product. MSDS are created
for the specific purpose of educating workers about the potential dangers of
repeated daily exposures to the things they work with (and to help haz-mat
teams, fire departments, etc know what to do in the event the compound is
involved in a chem spill, fire, etc). So, the scary stuff that’s written on
an MSDS for 90% d-limonene doesn’t really apply to someone who occasionally
uses a product that has some of the diluted oil in it. The difference is
sort of like eating an orange versus constantly being squirted in the eye
with citrus juice.

Btw, the web site also mentioned that there’s “some evidence of
carcinogenicity” from d-limonene. Truth be told, researchers are also
studying the compound as a possible anti-cancer agent.

4.) Does this mean I shouldn’t be at all concerned with d-limonene?
No.

One of the problems with d-limonene is that is it a “sensitizer.” This is a
term we goofy chemists use for compounds that, with repeated exposure, have
a tendency to make people sensitive to other things. Formaldehyde is an
example of another sensitizer. There are a number of things that do this.
Sensitizers are not necessarily similar compounds. The term just refers to
the ability of a compound to make people sensitive to other compounds. So,
with repeated exposure to d-limonene (or some other sensitizer), some people
will become extremely sensitive to paints, perfumes, etc. This is actually
the reason for one theory regarding the increase in multiple chemical
sensitivity: because so many things in our world today expose us to
formaldehyde (a sensitizer), some researchers believe this has contributed
to the development of multiple chemical sensitivity in more and more people.

That being the case, it is wise to be cautious with d-limonene – and that is
exactly what the “Less Toxic” guide said. As the web site mentioned, the
organization doesn’t recommend it for frequent use.

There are, of course, times when it may be necessary for someone to
completely avoid products with d-limonene. Someone who is already
chemically-sensitive may not want to have any exposure to these products,
for example, because they don’t need to add to a problem they already have.

5.) What about some of the other products listed in the “Guide to Less Toxic
Alternatives?” Is this a good reference guide?

First, a little family story . . . back in the 70’s, one time when my
brother came home from college break, the family conversation turned (as if
often did) toward environmental issues. My brother told us something one of
his college professors had said: “If you just strike a match you affect the
environment.” Over the years, I’ve often thought about that statement
(guess that’s kind of obvious since I’m telling this story now and this
happened around 30 years ago). While our initial reaction might be “come
on, that’s a little extreme” the professor was right. EVERYTHING we do
affects our environment.

We inhale: we use some of the life-sustaining oxygen on our planet. We
exhale: we put VOCs into our home air while also making a contribution to
the greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide) on our planet. We build a home and
drill a well and each time we draw water from that well, we lower the water
table in our area. We choose to set our homes as far back from the street
as possible on our building lots and then pave our long driveways and we
decrease the ability of the rain to replenish the local water table.

Build a wood fire (camp fire or in your fireplace or woodstove) and you’ve
added dioxins to the environment. Stand in the smoke and you might be
inhaling some dioxins.

Everything we do affects the environment in some way. It’s just that the
environment is self-sustaining – meaning that it can handle some of this
stuff to a certain extent.

It’s sort of the same thing with our bodies. We eat food and various toxic
compounds are formed from our normal metabolic process. Formaldehyde, for
example, is a by-product of some of the foods we eat. It’s just a normal
by-product of our metabolism. So, even if there were no formaldehyde in any
products in our environment, we’d still be exposed to it. But, a healthy
body takes care of those metabolic toxins. That’s are some of the functions
of the liver, kidneys, digestive tract and skin – to eliminate the “junk”
our body produces as it processes the things we eat and inhale. Here’s
another thing to think about: what we eat affects our hormones – after all,
they are chemical messengers in the body. Hormones tell your body how and
when to do the various jobs it performs – like when the kidneys should
recycle (retain) more water and when they should remove more water from the
bloodstream. So, when someone says “parabens are hormone disruptors and
this product contains parabens,” I can’t help but ask exactly WHAT paraben
the product contains and does THAT PARTICULAR PARABEN have any real health
concerns. You see, some parabens are good for you. Blueberries contain
good-for-you parabens, for example.

What I’m trying to say here is that it’s generally always a good idea to
also look at the “big picture” to see where the little pieces fit in it.
That usually gives you an idea of just how alarmed you should – or shouldn’
– be about something.

So, now, back to that list of “Less Toxic” products.

Please realize that the list is geared toward reducing chemical use IN THE
HOME, and this is not the same thing as being good for our environment.
What do I mean by that? Baking soda is “less toxic” to YOU than the
scouring powders you could buy at the grocery store, but that doesn’t mean
that the commercial production of baking soda is GOOD for our environment.
So, something we all need to do – whatever product we use – is to use it
responsibly. If ‘a little dab will do ya,’ then we shouldn’t use a big dab.
After all, if we all used two times more than we needed to, that would mean
the manufacturer have to produce twice as much of the product. That might
be good for his/her pocketbook, but it’s not good for our planet. It uses
valuable resources – raw materials, energy, etc – and the empty containers
contribute to the ever-increasing waste stream.

Frequently, the “Less Toxic Guide” suggests using borax (or some product
that contains borax) as a less toxic alternative. If you’re talking about
pesticides, borax is a less toxic alternative. For that occasional use, it’
s probably fine. However, many people are sensitive to borax, so I take
issue with the suggestion to use it for so many cleaning purposes. It can
be a skin irritant (but, remember, so can lemon juice, and, on the other
hand, a mild solution of boric acid makes a good eye wash.) But, back to my
main concern about the web site’s suggestion to use borax for so many
different cleaning chores . . .

Here are some tidbits on boron (from whence comes borax) from “Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” (this is an
authoritative reference book for environmental analyses). Boron is an
essential element for plant growth. However, plants can be affected
adversely when irrigated with water containing a concentration of 1 to 2
mg/L Boron. Boron may occur naturally in some waters or it may find its way
into a watercourse through CLEANING COMPOUNDS and industrial wastes.
Seawater naturally contains boron, so boron is therefore found in salt water
estuaries. The ingestion of large amounts of boron can affect the central
nervous system.

So, a product with borax isn’t exactly a great choice for our planet. If we
all started washing our clothes with borax and using borax for all of our
cleaning chores, borates would likely become as serious of an environmental
concern as phosphates became back in the 70s when almost all cleaning
products had a fairly large amount of phosphorus in them.

Perhaps you noticed on the “Guide to Less Toxic Products” web site that
ammonia is listed as a “bad” ingredient in one section, but then is listed
as a “less toxic” alternative in another section? Yep, that’s right. Did
you notice that?

Why am I saying all of this? I don’t mean to imply that the info on their
web site is bad or all wrong. My point is that, no matter what we use,
someone is going to be able to point out a problem with it – because
EVERYTHING we do affects the environment or, in some situation could be
“bad” for someone. As an environmental chemist, I may not like some of the
things they suggest to use. Someone else will have their reasons as to why
they think that what I prefer isn’t as “good” as what they like. We,
therefore, cannot just “run scared” each time we hear or read something.
Someone is always going to have a new concept they want everyone to accept –
and they may do a pretty good job of making their idea sound reasonable. We
all need to use our brains so as to decide if what they say truly is
reasonable. ;-)

How do we do that? Sometimes it’s as simple as just looking into the
Barefoot Secret corporate information for answers. The US Barefoot Secret Member Center has
so much info available to us. From the “library” section of the US Member
Center, members can download an Ingredient Glossary for the supplements.
This wonderful file contains info on all the ingredients used in the dietary
supplements. Similar documents are also available on the Member Center for
the personal care products. The Barefoot Secret Canada web site has similar info
available for the Canadian products (thank-you Mare Moore for this info).

In this particular case, for example, a simple check of the ingredient
information from Barefoot Secret Manufacturer would have quickly revealed that All Purpose-H doesn’t
contain d-limonene . . . which would have saved everyone from this long
boring email. GRIN.

Editors Note: To meet with Barefoot Secret Manufacturers Guidelines the trademarked names and secret manufacturer name has not been revealed. To find out the "secret" just click link to find out.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Natural, organic, chemical-free, preservative-free definitions

Written by:Keith Anderson
Barefoot Secret Manufacturer Field Communications

This is a difficult subject from a marketing point of view, because most customers want and respond to simple, easy answers. The fact of the matter is that these topics are complicated. As you can see, I’ve tried a “good news/bad news” approach; though the bad news really isn’t bad…it’s simply accurate and truthful.

“Natural”
The “bad” news: “Natural” has no legal definition, so the term can be used to convey a general sense of wholesomeness without specific meaning.

The good news: By all means, use the term “natural” when describing Barefoot Secret products, because they are as natural as possible. We challenge any other manufacturer of competitive products to prove they are more natural and effective than Barefoot Secret products.

“Organic”
The “bad” news: “Organic,” while worthwhile, does not ensure purity or potency, and when it comes to using the term on dietary supplement labels, the legal standard prevents manufacturers from using the term except under very limited circumstances. Those circumstances preclude using the term for dietary supplements, for the most part, since herbal ingredients (often grown in the wild), and imported ingredients, while pure, do not qualify for organic designation.

The good news: While our raw materials may include organic ingredients, Barefoot Secret's quality assurance and ingredient specifications ensure a standard that is often higher than organic. Barefoot Secret's Manufacturer tests raw materials that go into our products for contaminants with the requirement that they be present below the legal standard or not detectable at all.

“Chemical-free”
The “bad” news: Strictly speaking, everything is made of chemicals. What consumers really need to consider is the presence of harmful or harsh chemical ingredients.

The good news: No Barefoot Secret product—dietary supplement, personal care product, household product—contains harsh or harmful chemicals in their formulations or ingredients of any kind that are shown to be harmful to human health.

“Preservative-free”
The “bad” news: In order for some products to have a useful shelf life, some must contain preservatives of some sort, especially if they contain lots of natural ingredients. Just as fresh fruits and vegetables deteriorate very quickly, unless something is done to preserve them, consumer products need protection, too. This is one reason for expiration and “use by” dates.

The good news: No Barefoot Secret dietary supplement contains artificial preservatives (or colors, flavors, or sweeteners). They are formulated in such a way that nutritive ingredients, such as vitamin C, “self-preserve” the supplement over its usable shelf life. Personal care products and cosmetics often require mild preservatives to prevent microbial infestation and cross contamination after opening. Without them, they would pose a health hazard after a very short time. Household products don’t require preservatives.

Buy Barefoot Secret Products Online

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Environmental News Tidbits

PROTECTING CHILDREN AND ADULTS FROM TOXIC PESTICIDES
The OCA alerted the readers of Organic Bytes about Dow Chemical and the EPA meeting behind closed doors to remove the ban on the toxic termite pesticide Dursban. After Dursban was conclusively linked to brain damage and birth defects in kids and adults, it was banned, but Dow convinced the EPA to reverse the ban. Thanks to your overwhelming response to the OCA alert, which catalyzed public outrage across the country, the backroom deal was nullified and the ban on Dursban was reinstated. http://www.organicconsumers.org/epa-dow.htm

CREATING A SAFER GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
The OCA informed you of new efforts by the biotech industry to legalize the "Terminator" gene, an experimental genetic engineering (GE) technique that makes plant seeds sterile. The technology would benefit GE seed producers by forcing farmers to purchase new seeds every year, but scientists are deeply concerned about what could happen if this experimental "suicide" trait spread from crops into wild plants via pollen drift. Thanks in part to your deluge of emails to the United Nations, those efforts by the biotech industry were stopped, and the terminator has been (at least temporarily) terminated. http://www.organicconsumers.org/un.htm

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Inside Secrets to All Purpose H


Barefoot Secret's All Purpose H - World's Most Versatile Cleaner and takes on odd jobs too...
Note: Be sure to spot test first*

Lipstick on linen napkin
Apply full strength to fabric. Let soak, rub lightly, rinse clean.
Crayon on painted wall
Dab full strength on wall, and wipe off with moist sponge.
Gum on fabric
Apply full strength to fabric. Let soak, then pull gum off.
Dirty windshields
Dilute 5 drops in 1 quart of water. Use in windshield reservoir.
Old wallpaper
Dilute 2 tbsp. in bucket of hot water. Apply with sponge, let soak, lift off.
Sticky paintbrushes
Add 1 tbsp. to 1/2 gallon of water. Soak 24 hours, rinse with hot water.

* Always spot test first for colorfastness, especially on nylon, acetate, silk, or washable wool, before widespread use. If color doesn't bleed or fade, proceed with recommended use.

Buy Barefoot's All Purpose H Online Here

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Home Safe Home...

Barefoot Secret Products... the Safest most Effective Cleaning Products for you Home!

Long before caring for the environment was a universal concern, Barefoot's Secret Manufacturer's founder and visionary Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee understood the profound responsibility we bear as citizens of the world. His vision and values are our guiding force, and his legacy is that we are as dedicated to his mission of creating Products in Harmony with Nature as he was when he first made that commitment — 50 years ago.

Because of Dr. Shaklee’s foresight, Barefoot's Secret Manufacturer has been and always will be committed to meeting higher standards of environmental accountability. Not only are we a company that enhances lives by offering high-quality products and a unique earning opportunity, we are a company that makes the earth a healthier place for all living things.

Learn more about Barefoot Secret Safe Cleaning Products Here

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Did you know.. Liptor and Grapefruit Juice..Don't Mix!

Grapefruit Juice + Lipitor = Death
Dr. Mercola's website has devoted an incredible amount of space to cataloging the toxic effects drugs can have on your health. Since this blog is all about keeping toxins away, I felt the need to post this. This is so sad.. think of the fatal effect, for example, a statin drug can have when it interacts with fresh grapefruit juice?

Drinking grapefruit juice can be deadly for people who take certain medications, according to a recent paper. In one case, a "snowbird" retiree who was living in Florida for the winter died two months after he arrived. Physicians believe the two to three glasses of fresh grapefruit juice he drank every day caused a fatal interaction with the dose of Lipitor he took.

The patient profiled in the article had high cholesterol and other risk factors for cardiac disease. Subsequently, the doctor put the patient on Lipitor, and the patient began dieting and exercising. Two months after the patient went to Florida for the winter, he suddenly had muscle pain, fatigue and fever, and went to the emergency room. The patient ended up going into kidney failure and ultimately died.

Although experts recognize the problem, they're concerned many layman and health care professionals still don't understand the risk. Nevertheless, the FDA requires all prospective new drugs to be tested for interactions with grapefruit juice. And a warning about grapefruit juice is included in the "food-drug interactions" that come with dozens of medications.

Grapefruit juice is one of the foods most likely to cause problems with drugs, because it is metabolized by the same enzyme in the liver that breaks down many drugs. When the system is overloaded, scientists said, the grapefruit juice can "swamp" the system, keeping the liver busy and blocking it from breaking down drugs and other substances.

The most severe effects, scientists say, are likely with some statins. While the liver devotes its resources to grapefruit juice, the medication can build up to dangerous levels, causing a breakdown of the body's muscles and even kidney failure.

Just another great reason to consider eating a better diet & supplementing instead of taking a statin drug to treat your high cholesterol.
Read more about this...

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Hidden Health Hazards....BEWARE!

Common household toxins
Here's a condensation of a publication in Natural Health Magazine.
Would you bring something into your home if you knew it could cause allergies, birth defects, or even cancer? Many are doing just that.
The culprits: window cleaners, dishwashing detergents, laundry soaps, and scouring powders, to name a few.
By some estimates, the average American uses 25 gallons of these products in the home every year. That's a potentially dangerous amount when you consider that of the tens of thousands of chemicals available for commercial use, only slightly more than 2000 have been tested by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), a government watchdog group. And of those that have been tested, 198 are know or suspected carcinogens.

The problem is that when we're repeatedly exposed to these chemicals, they accumulate in our bodies.
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study found more that 400 kinds of toxic chemical residues in humans, some of which are linked to cancer, birth defects, and nervous system damage."
All-Purpose Cleaners: Many popular household cleaning solutions, like Fantastik and Formula 409, contain a synthetic solvent and grease cutter called butyl cellosolve. This hazardous petroleum-based chemical can irritate your skin and eyes, and repeated exposure to it can cause permanent liver and kidney damage, and impair the body's ability to replenish its blood supply.
Bathroom: Dow Bathroom Cleaner contains dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, which can burn eyes and skin. Many traditional scouring cleansers, like AJAX powder, contain crystalline silica, an eye, skin, and lung irritant, classified as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Glass Cleaners: Many familiar window cleaning sprays, like Windex and Glass Plus, contain buryl cellosolve, a neurotoxin that's easily absorbed through the skin. Laundry Detergent: Many well-known laundry powders, like Tide, All, Gain, and Dash, contain sodium silicate-a corrosive that can burn the eyes and skin. Other chemicals often found in laundry detergent are sodium sulfate (a corrosive that can cause severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritation), ethoxylated alcohols (which may contain I,4-dioxane, which is "reasonably anticipated" to be a human carcinogen). And the harshness of many soaps and detergents can cause mild to severe irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract.
Dishwashing Detergent: Cascade and Sun Light, two of the best-selling brands of automatic dishwashing detergent, contain phosphates and chlorine-two extremely toxic chemicals. Phosphates released into the environment rob lakes and ponds of oxygen, leading to the suffocation of aquatic plants and animals. And chlorine fumes are highly irritating to the eye, throat, and respiratory tract. Inhaling them can cause headaches, burning eyes, and breathing difficulties.

THE SOLUTION?Eliminate all of the above, Change your home to Safe Cleaners your home with bio-degradable, non-toxic products:
All Purpose Cleaner H -- Safe and economical general-purpose household cleaner. For more information, CLICK HERE.
Germacide -- Safe and effective germicide / cleaner. For more information, CLICK HERE.
Safe Laundry-No skin rashes, no eye irritations, no respiratory problems. For information, CLICK HERE.
Safe Dishwasher Cleanser-No toxic fumes from your dishwasher. For more information , CLICK HERE.
Safe Scrubber-For all tough or challenging cleaning projects. For information CLICK HERE.

Toxic Household Products
Last update: April 4, 2001
Source unless noted: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Common household toxins and the products they're found in:

Sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) Lung and eye irritant. (Source: Washington Toxics Coalition) If mixed with ammonia or acid-based cleaners (including vinegar), releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to chloramine gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems.

Petroleum distillates (metal polishes) Short-term exposure can cause temporary eye clouding; longer exposure can damage the nervous system, skin, kidneys, and eyes. Ammonia (glass cleaner) Eye irritant, can cause headaches and lung irritation. If mixed with chorine, releases toxic chloramine gas. Short-term exposure to chloramine gas may cause mild asthmatic symptoms or more serious respiratory problems.

Phenol and cresol (disinfectants) Corrosive; can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage. Nitrobenzene (furniture and floor polishes) Can cause shallow breathing, vomiting, and death; associated with cancer and birth defects.

Formaldehyde (a preservative in many household products) Suspected human carcinogen; strong irritant to eyes, throat, skin, and lungs. Spot removers and carpet cleaners can contain (perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents) Can cause liver and kidney damage if ingested; perchloroethylene is an animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen.

Naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (mothballs) Naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen that may damage eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and the central nervous system; paradichlorobenzene can harm the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.

Hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate (toilet bowl cleaners) Either can burn the skin or cause vomiting diarrhea and stomach burns if swallowed; also can cause blindness if inadvertently splashed in the eyes.
Formaldehyde, phenol, and pentachlorophenol (spray starch) Any aerosolized particle, including cornstarch, may irritate the lungs.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

How sick is your home?

Indoor Air Polution --- from Mold to Radon --- Presents Health Risks

Nobody wants environmental hazards such as toxic-waste dumps or smokestacks bellowing gritty plumes in their backyards.

But the same sort of pollutants that come from these sites could be lurking right in your own home.

Indeed it can be teeming with allergens, such as dust mites. Carbon Monoxide can escape from fireplaces, mold and bacteria often funnel from heating, ventilation, and cooling systems and volitale organic chemicals seep out of paint and carpets.

Scientists have also found that innocuous household products, such as air freshners, can become dangerous when their fumes react with ozone and create carcinogens, such as formaldehyde.

It's no wonder the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deemed indoor air quality one of the top 5 environmental health risks the U.S. faces today. the agency says ndoor levels of pollutants can be 2 to 5 times...and sometimes more thatn 100 times... as high outdoor levels.

"Just because outdoor air is cleaner doesn't insure that indoor air is cleaner" says William Narzaroff, professor of environmental engineering at the University of California at Berkly.

Barefoot Secret Air Purifier an affordable solution to clean air in your home!

Sunday, September 11, 2005

THOUSANDS OF EPA SCIENTISTS ISSUE WARNING ON FLUORIDE


Over 7,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees have called on Congress to pass a moratorium on the use of fluoride in drinking water, citing a series of new studies directly connecting the chemical to cancer. The group, made up predominantly of EPA scientists, has sent letters to key Congressional committees and the EPA Secretary, calling for the EPA to classify fluoride as a human carcinogen. At this point, it appears the National Academy of Sciences is being instructed to review relevant studies and report to Congress and the EPA on the topic in early 2006.
Buy Barefoot's Secret water purification systems Online

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Can Switching Cleaning Brands Impove your Health?

A Testimony By: C. Whitus

Greeting here from the mountains in Tennessee. I wanted to send you my story about what the Barefoot's Secret household cleaners have done for me like I said I would. So here it is.

I started with Barefoot's Secret products after a serious rash spread accross my body. I honestly thought it was a type of poison oak until my family doctor sent me to a dermatologist. The dermatologist and I pin pointed when this started spreading, and I was upset to find that my favorite household cleaners were to blame.

I was told that by holding them in my arm to transport them from one bathroom to another was enough to get this going. I was given some medicine that did not seem to work very well. About this time my husband gave me the chance to make an order from the new business he started with Barefoot's Secret Manufacturer. I thought long and hard and decided to give these new products a try.

I just new that I had to do something because I did not know if I would get to clean very well with water. I remember opening the box of Barefoot's Secret cleaners and looking at the directions. I was impressed at the smell, the concentrated amount you needed to make up a gallon of cleaner. Things seemed to get clean faster and when I found out how long the germ killing power worked (germacide), I was hooked.

I had a improvement in my skin as well. I had a 50-60% improvement in the rash, color and feel of my skin in just two weeks of using Barefoot's Secret cleaners. I went for a checkup about 1 1/2 weeks later and had over a 75% improvement. My doctor told me to keep it up because what I was using was working.

I am just so glad to know that the red cracked skin is gone, that I have smooth skin again. I have no patchy skin any more. The ruff texture is gone and I feel free.

I took over the business from my husband. I dont think he minds much! I just have to tell you that once you experience this type of feeling, it really is a powerful thing!

Order Barefoot's Secret Products Online Here

Editors Note: To adhere with manufactures internet guidelines the manufactures name has be changed to "Barefoot Secret" to learn the manufacture just click on any of the Barefoot Secret links in this post.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

GOVERNMENT STUDY: HIGH LEVELS OF PESTICIDES IN KIDS' DIETS


U.S. government scientists from the Centers for Disease Control have released a new study revealing that switching to organic foods provides children with "dramatic and immediate" protection from toxic pesticides. The scientists tested the urine of elementary school children for 15 days. Children ate conventional foods for ten of the days and ate organic foods for five days. During those five days, researchers saw the toxins malathion and chlorpyrifos in the children's urine completely disappear. These chemicals are two of the most commonly found pesticides on non-organic foods, and are associated with nerve damage in children. Pesticide levels increased five-fold in the children's urine as soon as conventional foods were reintroduced to their diet. The study concludes, "An organic diet provides a dramatic and immediate protective effect against exposure to organophosphorus pesticides that are commonly used in agricultural production."

Learn more on Barefoot's Secret site about Childrens Health

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Who Else wants an Immune System Booster?

I usually talk about keeping toxins out of your environment on this blog, but today I wanted to mention a NEW Product that Barefoot Secret Biz has that will boost your immune system so the toxins you do come into contact with won't have a have a chance at messing with your immune sytstem.

There is much moe information about this amazing Immune System Booster take a look...

http://www.shaklee.net/barefoot/prodNuFeronHome

Please call Cindy 888.272.6701 if you have questions or would like personal service to start building your defenses against toxins.

Monday, August 15, 2005

Preparing For Harvest Time


Harvest time has arrived. One way of Breaking the Chains is to buy locally grown food and/or grow your own. But with the demise of the family farm over the last few decades, so too has the art of home food preservation faded. Fret not, the National Center for Home Food Preservation, a research-based nonprofit, provides all the info you need to safely and tastily can, dry, freeze, smoke, ferment, pickle and jam this year's harvest. It's really not as hard as you might think! http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

10 Amazing Disease-Fighting Foods

Do your body a favor with these incredible edibles

By Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic

They are a dietitian's dream foods, the cream of the crop, nutritious and
delicious. They are foods that should be in everyone's kitchen because they
contain such a wealth of disease-fighting substances.
So put these 10 readily available foods on your grocery list today -- but do
keep in mind that it takes more than 10 foods (even 10 terrific foods!) to
make a healthy diet. Experts are quick to point out that variety is the spice of
life. And ideally, these nutritious nibbles should replace other, less
healthful, foods, helping you to cut calories while boosting the nutrition in your
diet.

"Super-foods are terrific, but what are more important to wellness are
healthy dietary patterns that include a wide variety of nutritious foods that
displace less nutritious foods," notes Alice Lichtenstein, DSc, professor of
nutrition science and policy at Tufts University.

Top 10 Amazing Foods

1. Berries

Reach for berries for a powerful dose of health-protecting antioxidants.
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture study, blueberries top the list of
antioxidant-rich fruits, followed by cranberries, blackberries, raspberries,
and strawberries. The color of berries comes from the pigment anthocyanin, an
antioxidant that helps neutralize "free radicals" (cell-damaging molecules) that
can help lead to chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Berries, particularly cranberries, may also help ward off urinary tract infections.
Enjoy a cup of berries each day, as a snack; atop your cereal or yogurt; in
muffins, salads, or smoothies; or as frozen treats.

2. Dairy

Dairy foods are not only the best food source of dietary calcium, but also
have plenty of protein, vitamins (including vitamin D), and minerals. The U.S.
government's 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommend having three daily servings of
low-fat dairy products, as well as doing weight-bearing exercise, to help keep
bones strong and prevent osteoporosis. (If you can't tolerate dairy, other
calcium-containing foods include legumes; dark green leafy vegetables such as
kale, broccoli, and collards; and calcium-fortified soy products, juices, and
grains.)

Beyond strong bones, dairy may also help you lose weight. Research is
ongoing, but a few studies have shown that three daily servings of dairy -- as part
of a calorie-controlled diet -- may help decrease belly fat and enhance weight
loss.

Low-fat dairy foods make excellent snacks because they contain both
carbohydrates and protein.
"Dairy foods are perfect snacks for diabetics and everyone else because [they
help] maintain blood sugar levels," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, a
spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.
Whip up a smoothie with low-fat milk or yogurt, a splash of orange juice, and
a handful of berries for an energizing meal substitute or anytime snack.

3. Fatty Fish

The fat found in fish like salmon and tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids,
which can help protect your heart. The power of omega-3s appears to be their
ability to lower blood fats and prevent blood clots associated with heart disease.
The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of
fish (especially fatty fish) at least twice a week. "Eating a diet rich in fatty
fish can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease," says Lichtenstein.
There's another benefit to eating meals containing salmon or tuna: you'll
reduce your potential intake of saturated fat from higher-fat entrees.
Fire up the grill or put your fish under the broiler for a quick, tasty, and
heart-healthy meal.

4. Dark, Leafy Greens

Dark, leafy greens -- everything from spinach, kale, and bok choy to dark
lettuces -- are loaded with vitamins, minerals, beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate,
iron, magnesium, carotenoids, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. A Harvard
study found that eating magnesium-rich foods such as spinach can reduce the risk
of developing type 2 diabetes.
Make your next salad with assorted greens, including super-nutritious spinach
or other dark-colored greens.

5. Whole Grains

Grandma urged us to start the day with a bowl of oatmeal, but did she have
any idea that the soluble fiber from oats helps to lower blood cholesterol
levels?

Whole grains include the nutritional components that are typically stripped
away from refined grains. They contain folic acid, selenium, and B vitamins,
and are important to heart health, weight control, and reducing the risk of
diabetes. Their fiber content helps keeps you feeling full between meals as well
and promotes digestive health.
Enjoy at least three servings a day of whole-grain goodness: whole wheat;
barley; rye; millet; quinoa; brown rice; wild rice; and whole-grain pasta,
breads, and cereals. The daily recommendation for fiber is 21-38 grams, depending on
your sex and age, according to the American Dietetic Association.

6. Beans and Legumes

These nutritious nuggets are packed with phytochemicals; fat-free,
high-quality protein; folic acid; fiber; iron; magnesium; and small amounts of calcium.
Beans are an excellent and inexpensive protein source and a great alternative
for low-calorie vegetarian meals.
Eating beans and legumes regularly as part of a healthy eating plan can help
reduce the risk of certain cancers; lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride
levels; and stabilize blood sugar. Beans also play an important role in weight
management by filling you up with lots of bulk and few calories.
Think beans when making salads, soups, stews, or dips.

7. Nuts

Nuts are full of fats. But they're the healthy, mono- and polyunsaturated
kind, which can help lower cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease. In
addition, nuts are a good source of protein, fiber, selenium, vitamin E, and
vitamin A.
Small portions of nuts can boost energy and beat hunger, helping dieters stay
on track. Still, nuts pack plenty of calories -- and it's easy to overeat
these tasty treats.
So enjoy nuts, but be mindful of your portion size. Try to limit yourself to
an ounce a day. That's about 28 peanuts, 14 walnut halves, or just 7 Brazil
nuts.

8. Sweet Potatoes

One of the easiest ways to make a healthful dietary change is to think
"sweet" instead of "white" potatoes. These luscious orange tubers are one of the
healthiest vegetables, boasting a wealth of antioxidants; phytochemicals
including beta-carotene; vitamins C and E; folate; calcium; copper; iron; and
potassium. The fiber in sweet potatoes promotes a healthy digestive tract, and the
antioxidants play a role in preventing heart disease and cancer.
Its natural sweetness means a roasted sweet potato is delicious without any
additional fats or flavor enhancers. Substitute sweet potatoes in recipes
calling for white potatoes or apples to boost the nutrients.

9. Tomatoes

These red-hot fruits of summer are bursting with flavor and pack a
nutritional wallop with ingredients such as lycopene, an antioxidant that may help may
protect against certain cancers. They also deliver an abundance of vitamins A
and C, potassium, and phytochemicals.
Enjoy tomatoes raw, cooked, sliced, chopped, or diced as part of any meal or
snack. Stuff a tomato half with spinach and top with grated cheese for a
fabulous and colorful side dish.

10. Eggs

Their cholesterol content once led to bad press for the mighty egg, but
research has redeemed it. It turns out that saturated fat (eggs have little) plays
a bigger role than the cholesterol in food in elevating our blood cholesterol.
Eggs are packed with economical, high-quality protein, and are an excellent
source of the carotenoids lutein, choline, and xeanthin. In fact, eggs are one
of the best sources of dietary choline, an essential nutrient -- especially
for pregnant women. Eggs have been shown to supply nutrients that promote eye
health and help prevent age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of
blindness in older people.
The American Heart Association has given eggs the thumbs-up for healthy
people. As long as you limit your average daily cholesterol intake to 300 mg, you
can enjoy an egg a day.
Eggs are adaptable to every meal. Enjoy eggs for a quick meal, or pack a
hard-boiled egg for a tasty, high protein snack.

The Big Picture

For top disease-fighting power, eat all of these amazing edibles together
with other healthful foods that didn't make my top 10 list, including green tea,
chocolate, alcohol (in limited quantities), olive oil, and soy.
Beyond the choices I listed here, fruits and vegetables in general are
powerhouses of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. By eating five or more
servings a day, you help protect your body from heart disease, cancer, and
other diseases.

The real key to preventing disease and promoting health is not certain foods,
but a lifestyle of regular physical activity and healthy eating, experts say.
Overall, an eating plan low in saturated fat and rich in whole grains,
fruits, vegetables, and legumes is your best bet for a healthy heart, according to a
Stanford University study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

And "there is very little evidence that individual foods with super-nutrient
profiles can reduce the risk of cancer," according to Coleen Doyle, MS, RD,
the American Cancer Society's nutrition and physical activity director. "But
healthy dietary patterns, including these foods, along with a healthy lifestyle,
[are] critical to reducing risk for cancer."

Remember that portion size does matter, even when it comes to healthful
foods. If you gain weight eating super-portions of super-nutritious foods, you'll
negate the health benefits because of the health risks associated with being
overweight, Lichtenstein says.

Also keep in mind that taking a vitamin, mineral, or herbal supplement is no
replacement for eating a variety of healthy food. "There is limited evidence
that supplements, beyond filling nutritional gaps, make a difference," says
Doyle.

Make no mistake about it; eating healthfully -- at least most of the time --
is your best defense against chronic diseases. And the best part? Good
nutrition really does taste great.

SOURCES: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, June 9, 2004. Diabetes
Care, January 2004. Annals of Internal Medicine, May 2, 2005. American Heart
Association Dietary Guidelines. Alice Lichtenstein, DSc, Stanley N. Gershoff
Professor of Nutrition Science and Policy, Friedman School of Nutrition Science,
Tufts University. Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, spokeswoman, American Dietetic
Association. Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, nutrition and physical activity director,
American Cancer Society.

Sunday, July 31, 2005

Can a Food Additive Cause Our Obesity Epidemic

MSG - SLOW POISONING OF OUR HEALTH

I wondered if there could be an actual chemical
causing the massive obesity
epidemic, so did John Erb from Canada. He was a
research assistant at the
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
and spent years working
for the government. He made an amazing discovery while
going through
scientific journals for a book he was writing called
The Slow Poisoning of America.
In hundreds of studies around the world, scientists
were creating obese mice
and rats to use in diet or diabetes test studies. No
strain of rat or mice
is naturally obese, so the scientists have to create
them. They make these
morbidly obese creatures by injecting them with MSG
when they are first born.
The MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas
creates, causing rats (and
humans?) to become obese they even have a title for
the race of fat rodents
they create: "MSG-Treated Rats" MSG?

I was shocked too. I went to my kitchen, checking the
cupboards and the
fridge. MSG was in everything! The Campbell's soups,
the Hostess Doritos, the
Lays flavored potato chips, Top Ramen, Betty Crocker
Hamburger Helper, Heinz
canned gravy, Swanson frozen prepared meals, Kraft
salad dressings, especially
the 'healthy low fat' ones. The items that didn't have
MSG had something
called Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, which is just
another name for Monosodium
Glutamate. It was shocking to see just how many of the
foods we feed our
children everyday are filled with this stuff. They
hide MSG under many different
names in order to fool those who catch on.

But it didn't stop there. When our family went out to
eat, we started asking
at the restaurants what menu items had MSG. Many
employees, even the
managers, swore they didn't use MSG. But when we ask
for the ingredient list, which
they grudgingly provided, sure enough MSG and
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
were everywhere. Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's,
Taco Bell, every restaurant,
even the sit down ones like TGIF, Chilis', Applebees
and Denny's use MSG in
abundance. Kentucky Fried Chicken seemed to be the
WORST offender: MSG as in
every chicken dish, salad dressing and gravy. No
wonder I loved to eat that
coating on the skin, their secret spice was MSG!

So why is MSG in so may of the foods we eat? Is it a
preservative or a
vitamin? Not according to my friend John. In the book
he wrote, an expose of the
food additive industry called The Slow Poisoning of
America,
www.spofamerica.com , he said that MSG is added to
food for the addictive effect it has on the
human body. Even the propaganda website sponsored by
the food manufacturers
lobby group supporting MSG at:
http://www.msgfacts.com/facts/msgfact12.html
explains that the reason they add it to food is to
make people eat more.

A study of elderly people showed that people eat more
of the foods that it
is added to. The Glutamate Association lobby group
says eating more benefits
the elderly, but what does it do to the rest of us?
'Betcha can't eat just
one', takes on a whole new meaning where MSG is
concerned! And we wonder why the
nation is overweight?
The MSG manufacturers themselves admit that it
addicts people to their
products. It makes people choose their product over
others, and makes people eat
more of it than they would if MSG wasn't added. Not
only is MSG scientifically
proven to cause obesity, it is an addictive
substance!

Since its introduction into the American food supply
fifty years ago, MSG
has been added in larger and larger doses to the
prepackaged meals, soups,
snacks and fast foods we are tempted to eat every day.
The FDA has set no limits
on how much of it can be added to food. They claim
it's safe to eat in any
amount.
How can they claim it is safe when there are hundreds
of scientific studies
with titles like these?

The monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rat as a model
for the study of
exercise in obesity. Gobatto CA, Mello MA, Souza CT,
Ribeiro IA. Res Commun Mol
Pathol Pharmacol. 2002

Adrenalectomy abolishes the food-induced hypothalamic
serotonin release in
both normal and monosodium glutamate-obese rats.
Guimaraes RB, Telles MM,
Coelho VB, Mori RC, Nascimento CM, Ribeiro Brain Res
Bull. 2002 Aug

Obesity induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate
treatment in spontaneously
hypertensive rats: an animal model of multiple risk
factors.
Yamamoto M, Iino K, Ichikawa K, Shinohara N,
Yoshinari Fujishima Hypertens
Res. 1998 Mar

Hypothalamic lesion induced by injection of monosodium
glutamate in suckling
period and subsequent development of obesity. Tanaka
K,
Shimada M, Nakao K, Kusunoki Exp Neurol. 1978 Oct

Yes, that last study was not a typo, it WAS written
in 1978. Both the
medical research community and food "manufacturers"
have known MSG's side effects
for decades! Many more studies mentioned in John
Erb's book link MSG to
Diabetes, Migraines and headaches, Autism, ADHD and
even Alzheimer's. But what can
we do to stop the food manufactures from dumping
fattening and addictive MSG
into our food supply and causing the obesity epidemic
we now see? Even as you
read this, George W. Bush and his corporate
supporters are pushing a Bill
through Congress. Called the "Personal Responsibility
in Food Consumption Act"
also known as the "Cheeseburger Bill "this sweeping
law bans anyone from
suing food manufacturers, sellers and distributors.
Even if it comes out that
they purposely added an addictive chemical to their
foods."
Read about it for yourself at:
www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/8458081.htm
"Last month the House of Representatives passed the
"Personal Responsibility
in Food Consumption Act" to protect the food and
beverage industry from
civil lawsuits. Under the measure, known as the
"Cheeseburger Bill," people who
buy food or drinks couldn't sue the companies that
made them, the stores that
sold them or the restaurants that served them if they
got fat from the
products, so long as the products met existing laws.
The Senate is expected to take
up a similar bill later this year."

The Bill has already been rushed through the House of
Representatives, and
is due for the same rubber stamp at Senate level. It
is important that Bush
and his corporate supporters get it through before
the media lets everyone know
about MSG, the intentional Nicotine for food.

Several months ago, John Erb took his book and his
concerns to one of the
highest government health officials in Canada. While
sitting in the Government
office, the official told him "Sure I know how bad MSG
is, I wouldn't touch
the stuff!" But this top-level government official
refused to tell the public
what he knew. The big media doesn't want to tell the
public either, fearing
legal issues with their advertisers. It seems that the
fallout on the fast
food industry may hurt their profit margin.

So what do we do? The food producers and restaurants
have been addicting us
to their products for years, and now we are paying the
price for it. Our
children should not be cursed with obesity caused by
an addictive food additive.
But what can I do about it? I'm just one voice, what
can I do to stop the
poisoning of our children, while guys like Bush are
insuring financial
protection for the industry that is poisoning us.

I for one am doing something about it. I am sending
this email out to
everyone I know in an attempt to show you the truth
that the corporate owned
politicians and media won't tell you. The best way you
can help save yourself and
your children from this drug-induced epidemic, is to
forward this email to
everyone. With any luck, it will circle the globe
before Bush can pass the Bill
protecting those who poisoned us. The food industry
learned a lot from the
tobacco industry. Imagine if big tobacco had a bill
like this in place before
someone blew the whistle on Nicotine? Blow the whistle
on MSG. If you are one
of the few who can still believe that MSG is good for
us, and you don't
believe what John Erb has to say, see for yourself. Go
to the National Library of
Medicine, at www.pubmed.com. Type in the words "MSG
Obese", and read a few of
the 115 medical studies that appear.

We do not want to be rats in one giant experiment, and
we do not approve of
food that makes us into a nation of obese, lethargic,
addicted sheep, waiting
for the slaughter. With your help we can put an end to
this, and stop the
Slow Poisoning of America. Let's save our children
says (John Erb) ...

Monday, July 25, 2005

Is Your Teflon Pan Causing Health Problems?

More Troubles With Teflon Toxicity
It appears DuPont Co. has cooked up some trouble, for a federal grand jury has slapped the company with a subpoena -- via a request from the U.S. Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section -- regarding the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a controversial chemical used to make Teflon non-stick coatings.

And the subpoena comes only a month after Dupont agreed to a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it failed to disclose health safety information about PFOA for 20 years.

Further, while a DuPont spokesman claimed no specific charges have been spelled out yet, the federal grand jury requested documents that were previously turned over to the EPA. The company must turn over the materials by late June.

According to the EPA:


PFOA remains in humans for years; small amounts of the chemical are believed to be present in a large proportion of the American public.


Evidence has shown the chemical can cause cancers in rats; the report said PFOA targets the liver in rats and could increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels in humans.


A small ray of hope: DuPont has previously announced plans to replace PFOA in some products by late 2006.

Reuters May 19, 2005

---------------------------------

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Teflon-coated cookware does offer a certain level of convenience that is difficult to find elsewhere. But are you willing to sacrifice your health for ease in kitchen cleanup? I know I certainly am not, and there are many practical tricks you can use to achieve virtually the same benefit as you do with non-stick cookware.

In case you weren't aware, those non-stick finishes vaporize when you turn up the heat and can cause some very serious health symptoms. I am surprised to tell you that this Web site was one of the first to report the health consequences of this.

It has been known for some time that volatile gases were released when the non-stick pans were heated, but it wasn't until earlier this year that energy psychology pioneer Gary Craig identified that it had not been previously documented. Since this article ran in February, we have received dozens of reports of people's bizarre symptoms that have completely resolved once they stopped using the Teflon non-stick pans.

So, obviously, my strong recommendation is to ditch the pans and avoid non-stick finishes.

If you plan to continue using these products, please at least refrain from cooking with them at high heat, or continuing to use them if they been scratched, as both situations can liberate the toxic chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) into your food.

The best and safest cookware you can use is ceramic-coated metal, as ceramic is virtually inert and will not transfer any metal ions to your food. I am actually researching specific brands to recommend and may have some shortly.

For safe cooking, it is also important to use a stable oil like coconut oil -- vegetable oils are easily damaged by the heat -- and not overcook your food.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

All Purpose H uses you might not know about

Hi,

A note to add to this because I know there are a lot of new people in Barefoot Secret Biz today that when they read this, might wonder HOW this stuff is possible with All Purpose H. I know when I was brand new, I had a hard time understanding how.

All Purpose H is 100% non-toxic and it makes water appx. 300 times wetter. When used as a soil conditioner on plants, lawns, and crops, All Purpose H helps plants grow because water goes deeper and stays in the soil longer, and water transports nutrients from the soil to the plant roots. More water + more nutrients = stronger, healthier plants. Back in the 1980's, studies showed nearly 1 ton more potatoes per acre with crops treated with All Purpose H for example. If you want to test it, just try it on a portion of your lawn and compare treated vs. untreated after a couple of weeks or so. You will see the difference.

When it comes to insects--- they do not like All Purpose H! If you ever got any All Purpose H in your tongue, you probablly didn't like it either. Flies especially seem to hate All Purpose H and it is about the best fly spray I've ever used on myself, or on my pets. I have had farners use it with great success on horses, dairy cows, etc. It's terrific! They usually will purchase All Purpose H in the 5 gal bucket, or 30 gal drum.

When it comes to ants, earwigs, beetles, and the like--- Basic H and water kills by drowning the insects. All Purpose H allows the water to penetrate the protective outside coating of the insect and they drown.

I know you will see different ratio mixtures sometimes for using All Puropse H and that's because people often come up with their own formulas. For general lawn and garden use--- 1 oz. All Purpose H per gallon of water is the norm. For fly spray-- 1 part All Purpose H to 1 part water and 1 pare white vinegar is the way we use it of course, can be made stronger or weaker if needed.

And I can not ever leave this one out when talking about All Purpose H--- it is the best thing you will find for putting on burns. All Purpose H is Rod Larkins #1 burn treatment.
_________________________________

All Purpose H for Gardens, Nurseries, Barns, Greenhouses, Crops, Yards, Trees

If you live in areas with the deer flies .. you will be very interested in how All Purpose H saved this poor dog's ears... as well as the owners...

All Purpose H Testimony:

I was just thinking about how hot it is for our German shepherd/malamute mix and remembered to check her ears (when it gets hot the biting flies are fierce for her).

I notice that she doesn't have any flies around her....that's good but odd I thought, they bite us every time we get out of the pool! Her ears are almost completely healed!

Then I remembered, just before we went on vacation (June 20th), I sprayed her with my mixture of laundry pre-spotter of All Purpose H and saw flies FALL off of her body....that was scary....but then I remembered this stuff is non-toxic so I shouldn't worry.

I left some out for my parents to take care of her with while we were gone on vacation (week of June 27th). My dad sprayed our dog, doghouse and her pen while we were gone.

I also noticed she doesn't roll like a mad dog around the yard trying to get All Purpose H off of her fur. With bitter apple, baby oil and bag balm she would become a rolling, flailing dog for at least a good 10-15 minutes trying to get it off. With All Purpose H I cover her eyes, spray her body and get some on my hand to put some on her head and then when I let her go she will go lay down and she might rub her head once on the ground. With all of the other stuff it didn't matter how long I tried to distract her she was doing a full body roll all over the yard.

I use 1 cup of All Purpose H and 3/4 cup of water to put in my spray bottle and use as a laundry pre-spotter. I haven't encountered a stain I couldn't get out with this mixture....... and now it's a really good fly repellant/killer.

Thanks Barefoot Secret Biz!
Mary

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Do you have a computer product called "Dust Off" in your house?

Summary:
Email from a grieving father outlines the danger of inhaling Dust-Off computer cleaner, after his son died as a result of "huffing" the product.

Dust Off- A Serious Fatal Hazard
First IM going to tell you a little about me and my family. My name is Jeff. I am a Police Officer for a city which is known nationwide for its crime rate. We have a lot of gangs and drugs. At one point we were # 2 in the nation in homicides per capita. I also have a police K-9 named Thor . He was certified in drugs and general duty. He retired at 3 years old because he was shot in the line of duty. He lives with us now and I still train with him because he likes it. I always liked the fact that there was no way to bring drugs into my house. Thor wouldn't allow it. He would tell on you. The reason I say this is so you understand that I know about drugs. I have taught in schools about drugs. My wife asks all our kids at least once a week if they used any drugs. Makes them promise they won't.

I like building computers occasionally and started building a new one in February 2005. I also was working on some of my older computers. They were full of dust so on one of my trips to the computer store I bought a 3 pack of DUST OFF. Dust Off is a can of compressed air to blow dust off a computer. A few weeks later when I went to use them they were all used. I talked to my kids and my 2 sons both said they had used them on their computer and messing around with them. I yelled at them for wasting the 10 dollars I paid for them. On February 28 I went back to the computer store. They didn't have the 3 pack which I had bought on sale so I bought a single jumbo can of Dust Off. I went home and set it down beside my computer.

On March 1st I left for work at 10 PM. At 11 PM my wife went down and kissed Kyle goodnight. At 530 AM the next morning Kathy went downstairs to wake Kyle up for school, before she left for work. He was sitting up in bed with his legs crossed and his head leaning over. She called to him a few times to get up. He didn't move. He would sometimes tease her like this and pretend he fell back asleep. He was never easy to get up. She went in and shook his arm. He fell over. He was pale white and had the straw from the Dust Off can coming out of his mouth. He had the new can of Dust Off in his hands. Kyle was dead.

I am a police officer and I had never heard of this. My wife is a nurse and she had never heard of this. We later found out from the coroner, after the autopsy, that only the propellant from the can of Dust off was in his system. No other drugs. Kyle had died between midnight and 1 Am.

I found out that using Dust Off is being done mostly by kids ages 9 through 15. They even have a name for it. It's called dusting. A take off from the Dust Off name. It gives them a slight high for about 10 seconds. It makes them dizzy. A boy who lives down the street from us showed Kyle how to do this about a month before. Kyle showed his best friend. Told him it was cool and it couldn't hurt you. It's just compressed air. It can't hurt you. His best friend said no.

Kyle's death
Kyle was wrong. It's not just compresses air. It also contains a propellant. I think its R2. It's a refrigerant like what is used in your refrigerator. It is a heavy gas.-Heavier than air. When you inhale it, it fills your lungs and keeps the good air, with oxygen, out. That's why you feel dizzy, buzzed. It decreases the oxygen to your brain, to your heart. Kyle was right. It can't hurt you. IT KILLS YOU. The horrible part about this is there is no warning. There is no level that kills you. It's not cumulative or an overdose; it can just go randomly, terribly wrong. Roll the dice and if your number comes up you die. IT'S NOT AN OVERDOSE. It's Russian roulette. You don't die later. Or not feel good and say I've had too much. You usually die as your breathing it in. If not you die within 2 seconds of finishing "the hit." That's why the straw was still in Kyle's mouth when he died. Why his eyes were still open.

The experts want to call this huffing. The kids don't believe its huffing. As adults we tend to lump many things together. But it doesn't fit here. And that's why it's more accepted. There is no chemical reaction. no strong odor. It doesn't follow the huffing signals. Kyle complained a few days before he died of his tongue hurting. It probably did. The propellant causes frostbite. If I had only known.

It's easy to say hay, it's my life and I'll do what I want. But it isn't. Others are always affected. This has forever changed our family's life. I have a hole in my heart and soul that can never be fixed. The pain is so immense I can't describe it. There's nowhere to run from it. I cry all the time and I don't ever cry. I do what I'm supposed to do but I don't really care. My kids are messed up. One won't talk about it. The other will only sleep in our room at night. And my wife, I can't even describe how bad she is taking this. I thought we were safe because of Thor. I thought we were safe because we knew about drugs and talked to our kids about them.

After Kyle died another story came out. A Probation Officer went to the school system next to ours to speak with a student. While there he found a student using Dust Off in the bathroom. This student told him about another student who also had some in his locker. This is a rather affluent school system. They will tell you they don't have a drug problem there. They don't even have a dare or plus program there. So rather than tell everyone about this "new" way of getting high they found, they hid it. The probation officer told the media after Kyle's death and they, the school, then admitted to it. I know that if they would have told the media and I had heard, it wouldn't have been in my house.

We need to get this out of our homes and school computer labs.

Using Dust Off isn't new and some "professionals" do know about. It just isn't talked about much, except by the kids. They know about it.

April 2nd was 1 month since Kyle died. April 5th would have been his 15th birthday. And every weekday I catch myself sitting on the living room couch at 2:30 in the afternoon and waiting to see him get off the bus. I know Kyle is in heaven but I can't help but wonder If I died and went to Hell.

Commentary:
Sadly, the information outlined in this email forward is true. On the 2nd March 2005, 14-year-old Kyle Williams of Painesville Township, Ohio died after inhaling Dust-Off. As outlined in the email, Dust-Off is a product that contains a compressed gas used for removing the dust from computers. Kyle's father, Jeff is indeed a police officer in Cleveland, Ohio.

Unfortunately, many consumers are under the mistaken impression that Dust-Off and similar products contain a seemingly harmless product - compressed air. In fact, such products are commonly referred to as "canned air". However, the products actually contain a compressed gas, NOT compressed air. Because of this misconception, parents and children may not realize how dangerous inhaling them can be. This is an important issue, as such seemingly trivial misconceptions can have a quite powerful influence on the way consumers conceive of and use a product. In fact, a representative from Falcon, the company that manufactures Dust-Off, has contacted me after reading an earlier version of this article. He states that:

We are hoping you can help clarify a misconception about our product. As you noted, most people refer to our product as "canned air", when in reality the product is filled with a compressed-gas. Our company makes it a practice to never refer to the product in such a manner as it is misleading to consumers. We believe that referring to our product as "canned air" gives individuals a false sense of comfort and, therefore, they believe it to be harmless if directly inhaled.

An article on the Falcon website discusses this topic more thoroughly.

Falcon also has the following information on its website:

As a leading manufacturer of one of the world's most versatile aerosol products, Falcon recognizes that among the issues surrounding aerosol product distribution and usage is that of inhalant abuse or "huffing". It is imperative that consumers of aerosol products, parents and children all understand the seriousness of this practice.

Dust-Off cans also carry the following warning:

A cleaning duster is a serious product. Inhalant abuse is illegal and can cause permanent injury or be fatal. Please use our product responsibly.

Inhalant abuse, or "huffing", is a serious problem that has killed and maimed many children and young adults around the world. It is important that parents and guardians educate themselves and their children about inhalant abuse. The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition website is an excellent resource on the subject.

As a parent, my heart goes out to Kyle's grieving family. Perhaps we can help to prevent similar tragedies by taking steps to let others know about the dangers of inhalant abuse.

References:
Falcon Website: Issues Surrounding Inhalant Abuse and Huffing
Falcon Website: What Are The Health Hazards Associated With Abuse?
Falcon Website: Making The Right Choice
The Plain Dealer: A dire warning from a grieving dad
The News-Herald: Riverside High School continues to grieve
Write-up by Brett M.Christensen

Thursday, June 23, 2005

The Major Health Benefits of Going Barefoot (Really!)

by SixWise.com

"Set your feet free and your mind will follow." So goes the logo on the Society for Barefoot Living homepage. Why, you may be wondering, is there a society devoted just to people who love to live barefoot? If you ask the barefooters of the world, chances are the first thing they'll say is that it just feels great.

"We enjoy walking barefoot as nature intended, taking delight in feeling the many textures the world has to offer -- " says the Society.

Not convinced that you're ready to throw your shoes away just yet? Well, going barefoot doesn't just feel good--it's really proven to be good for you! Here are some reasons why:
Say Goodbye to Troubled Feet

The introduction of the now out-of-print book "Take Off Your Shoes and Walk" by Simon J. Wikler D.S.C., states that, " -- Practically all shoes worn daily by men and women in our Western civilization have little relation to the shape of the human foot -- Most adults' foot trouble would either not exist or would be much less bothersome if properly-shaped shoes had been worn during childhood or, better yet, if those people had gone barefoot -- "

The book details a bit about the history of foot trouble, only to reveal that:

a.. There is no record of foot troubles in Biblical times comparable to modern foot ills.

b.. The seeds of foot trouble were first sown in the Renaissance.

c.. The introduction of the elevated heel and the pointed toe marked the beginning of modern foot disabilities.
The book also describes a study performed from 1957-1960 that examined whether a mother's objections to letting her child walk barefoot influenced the health of the child's feet. It was found that children who were allowed to go barefoot often had:

a.. Less deformed toes

b.. Greater flexor strength

c.. More ability to spread the toes

d.. Denser muscles on the bottom of the feet

e.. Greater agility than those who had never gone barefoot

f.. A wider range of hip circumduction and more flexibility of the gluteal and hamstring muscles, which gave them more ability to touch their toes when their knees were held stiff
Keep Your Feet From Getting Lazy

"Shoes often protect the feet so much that certain foot muscles get lazy because they're not being used," said James DeMarco, running coach and sports store owner.

That's why more people than you'd think have taken to running in bare feet. Marathon runners from Kenya do it all the time, but in the United States you're most likely to see a barefoot runner on the beach. Still, there are those who venture to other areas like grassy fields and even hiking trails.

If you're thinking that running barefoot sounds strange, consider the findings of Michael Warburton, a physical therapist in Australia. In a 2001 research paper he wrote that running barefoot decreases the likelihood of ankle sprains and chronic injuries, such as plantar fasciitis. And, wearing shoes actually increases the risk of sprains because they make runners unaware of the foot's position.

It's not as far-fetched as it may sound -- Nike has just released the Nike Free, a "shoe that lets your foot run free on any surface." It's designed to mimic the effects of running barefoot. According to Nike, "Studies show that barefoot training leads to stronger feet, that stronger feet lead to a stronger body, and that natural movement enhances agility."

Fight Varicose Veins

Going barefoot can actually help prevent vein problems. Why? The motion you get from your unrestricted foot helps the leg muscles pump blood back to the heart. The motion may not be as effective if your foot is confined in a shoe.

It's Just More Relaxing
Going barefoot really puts you in a different sort of mindset, and is usually only reserved for those special, relaxing moments.

Think about when you tend to go barefoot -- at the beach, at home on the carpet, walking on cool grass in the summer, -- and you'll get an idea of what we mean. Exercises geared toward strengthening the body and relaxing the mind (yoga, tai chi, martial arts) are also typically practiced barefoot.


"Maybe the whole world secretly understands that free feet produce a different, more philosophical, relaxed, and unbusinesslike mindset. Without shoes, our ambitions would fade away, wolfish trade practices seem too much trouble, international frictions look foolish. Armies would curl up to take a nap. Nobody would get any serious work done," wrote Barbara Holland in Endangered Pleasures. Or maybe we should all take our shoes off next time we're at work, and see just how stress-free we become?

Get More Chi

According to some ancient philosophies, life-force energy called Chi (also called Qi or Prana) can be absorbed through the soles of the feet. Ground Chi is absorbed automatically and unconsciously when walking barefoot, which increases the amount of Chi absorbed by the body.

It's said that you can consciously learn to absorb more Chi from the ground as you walk to increase your vitality, your capacity to do more work and your ability to think more clearly. Now there's a reason for going barefoot more often if we ever heard one!

Sources

The Roanoke Times June 15, 2005

Society for Barefoot Living

Barefoot and Healthy

Monday, June 20, 2005

Gardening with All Purpose H

Thank you Farmers wife, Mildred Smith, from ions ago – who says,

"Shaklee is not a business, but a way of life! "


For Tomatoes: 3oz of all purpose H w/ 1oz of Ligui-lea and 5 gallons of water – apply after planting

Trickler Systems – Flowers: 100 gallon systems – 18 oz of all purpose H w/4oz of Ligui-lea, mix w/ water - Apply twice a week

Spray Formula – Flowers: Mix ½ oz of all purpose H with 1oz of Liqui – lea and 3 gallons of water. Spray twice a week

Apple Scab – 1 quart all purpose H – 100 gallons of water. Spray apples as you would lime sulphur. Spray at pre - blossom and at petal fall, then every 15 days, for the best results.

Orange Groves: To clean irrigation lines: 2 7/8 gallons all purpose H to 90,000 gallons of water

Lawn Care: To increase water absorption 200%!! Buy an Ortho bottle. Fill this w/ all purpose H and hook to your hose. Continually spray your yard, don’t let it soak. Just go along your grass until it is gone. Fill again if it is necessary. Do this 4-5 times per year, beginning in April, making sure to also do it late in the summer

Grubs: 1 ½ quart H – ½ pint Barefoot's Germicide – 10-12 – gallons of water. Spray every 100 ft Use Ortho bottle or injector

Dandelions: 100 sq ft – Use Ortho Spryer or hose w/ valve sytem – 2 quarts of all purpose H – 1 bottle of Liqui-lea – ½ pint Barefoot's Germicide – Should be used with some form of liquid fertilizer. Apply twice a year

Weeds: pull a bucket per day – a sick lawn supports weeds – a healthy lawn does not support weeds.
Trees – nursery stock, seedlings, or seed beds: Mix 1oz of all purpose H with gallon of water. Spray on whole seedling and around entire trunk. Apply every 10 days.

Trees - 3-4 feet tall: Mix 1 quart of all purpose H with 8 quarts of Water. From this mixture, feed at the base of the tree 1 Cup of solution twice per day for the first day , then once a day until the solution is gone.


Trees - 4-8 ft tall: Mix 1 quart of all purpose H w/ 6 quarts of water. From this mixture, Feed at the base of the tree. Use 1 pint of the mixture twice a day for 2 days and then 1 pint thereafter until the mixture is gone. Feedings are of a mixed solution. Do this 3 times per year.

Trees – 8 ft an up: Mix 1 quart of all purpose H w/ 5 quarts of water. Feed one quart of the solution each day until the solution is gone. Do this twice a year.

Small Evergreens: Mix 1oz of all purpose H with gallon of water. Add 1 oz of liqui – lea for proper vitamin needs. Spray on whole seedling and around entire trunk. Apply every 10 days.

Evergreens: Add 8 oz of Liqui-lea to 8 ft an up Mix 1 quart of all purpose H w/ 5 quarts of water. Feed one quart of the solution each day until the solution is gone. Do this twice a year.

Lawn Shrubs and bushes: For any type of evergreen shrub use 1 teas all purpose H and 1 teas of Liqui-lea per gallon of water.

Hard wood shrubs and small trees: Use ½ oz all purpose H w/ 1 gallon of water. Spray once every 2 weeks or if insects appear.