by Kathryn Flehmer

For many people in the Midwest, the word “farm” brings to mind acres of corn, fields of wheat, and barns that house cows and chickens in the sprawling countryside. However, how much longer can this image remain true? Throughout the world, over 80% of the land suitable for farming is in use. The human population is set to increase by an estimated three billion by the year 2050. This means about 109 hectares of new land will be needed to grow enough food, if the traditional farming practices continue. With these estimates, is it possible that this system of farming can persist? Some people don’t think so. Dickson Despommier, a 67-year old microbiologist at Columbia University, believes that the only way we can subsist is by drastically changing the way we farm. Instead of sprawling farms, Despommier envisions 30-story high sky scrapers that could provide enough food and water for 50,000 people a year.

Called vertical farms, these structures would be home to various kinds of fruits, vegetables, and small animals. Despommier told Popular Science magazine that the idea of the vertical farm was the brainchild of Despommier and his students. Students were assigned a project on urban sustainability. They first proposed the production for 13 acres of farmable land on commercial rooftops of Manhattan. They figured, however, that this would feed just 2 percent of the city. Despommier then suggested that they take the 1,723 abandoned buildings in Manhattan and retrofit them to house hydroponics. Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil.

According to Despommier’s website, www.verticalfarm.com, 60% of the human population now lives in city buildings. As we are all protected against the elements, Despommier writes, why not extend that coverage to our food-bearing plants as well?

He thinks irrigation plants in these buildings can produce not only enough food, but water for 50,000 people as well, through evapotranspiration. Condensation would come from the leaves of plants, Despommier said. Irrigation would come from the sewage (which would first be de-sludged). Then it is filtered through non-edible barrier plants, and then again through zebra mussels, one of nature’s best filterers. Despommier says that more than 100 strawberries, blueberries, and even miniature banana plants will inhabit these buildings.

Based on a compilation of extensive research, the vertical farm website lists many advantages of vertical farming, including:

• Year-round crop production
• No weather-related crop failure
• Organic food with no herbicide, pesticides, or fertilizers
• Eliminates agricultural runoff by recycling black water
• Returns farmland to nature, restoring ecosystem functions and services

CNNMoney.com reported that the construction of a 21-story vertical farm would cost about $84 million to build, $5 million in operating costs each year, and revenue $18 million a year.

The Lay-Out
A 30-story tower, set in the middle of the city, is a bit hard to imagine. So let’s take a verbal tour of this futuristic farm. The building itself will be circular, using space more efficiently and allowing maximum light into the center. Floors are stacked like “poker chips” for flexibility.

Most of the vertical farm’s energy will be supplied by a pellet system. However, there will also be a rotating solar panel that will follow the sun throughout the day, which ensures the most efficient use of solar energy.

In conjunction with the solar panel, there will be a wind spire. This wind spire uses small blades to turn air upwards, instead of conventional windmills, which are too big for cities. The building is coated with titanium oxide-glass panels that collect pollutants and let rain slide down the glass instead of beading; this allows for better light filtration and pollutant cleansing.

The entire vertical farm is regulated from the control room, which allows for year-round, 24-hour agriculture. The crops in the farm could include fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, poultry, and pigs.

How Does It All Work?
According to New York Magazine, the vertical farm also generates its own power from waste and cleans sewage water. Inside the ceiling of each floor, pipes collect moisture through an evapotranspiration recovery system. The pipes work much like a bottle of Coke that sweats on a hot day. Super-cool fluid inside pipes attracts plant water vapors. The moisture, which comes from plants, can then be bottled and sold. Despommier estimates that one vertical farm could recover 60 million gallons of water a year through this method.

Wastewater from the city’s sewage system is treated through filters and is sterilized, resulting in gray water. This water is not drinkable, but can be used for irrigation.

Working on the “Field”
A crop picker monitors fruits and vegetables with an electronic eye, checking for ripeness, temperature, etc. Because maximization of space is a priority, there are two layers of crops on each floor. If small crops are planted, there could be up to ten layers per floor, as well as crops that could hang from the ceiling. Runoff from irrigation is collected at the Pool and is piped into a filtration system. A Feeder directs programmed amounts of water and light to individual crops.

Pellet Power System
The pellet power system is another source of power for the vertical farms. It turns non-edible plant matter (e.g. corn husks) into fuel. It could also process waste from restaurant kitchens. Plant waste is processed into a powder, condensed into clean-burning fuel pellets and becomes steam power.

While it may take a few years for this idea to literally get off the ground, the concept of vertical-farms has caught the attention of many. Vertical-farms use current technologies and all that is needed for this plan to continue, Despommier said, is money.

(Description information courtesy of New York Magazine.)

by Dr. Danielle Fink

During the warm summer months many people think about their health and wellness. It would be ideal to get all the nutrients our bodies need to maintain us through the food we eat. But most of us don’t eat enough of the “good stuff” to obtain the proper amounts of the vitamins and minerals that medical evidence suggests aid in the prevention of disease. The solution to this problem is to supplement our diets with condensed or concentrated forms of these vitamins and minerals. The most efficient way to do this is by taking a multivitamin.

When choosing a multivitamin or a vitamin regimen it is best to know that not all vitamins and supplements are created equal. It is important to recognize that not all vitamins are manufactured the same way. Many vitamins that you can purchase over the counter are manufactured using chemical processes to create synthetic forms of vitamins and minerals, whereas those supplements that are sold by medical professionals, on the other hand, are derived from materials found in nature (from plants and/or animals). These vitamins don’t include added coloring, artificial sweeteners or preservatives often found in the synthetic vitamins. Vitamins manufactured this way are called “whole food” supplements, and are concentrated supplements created from natural raw ingredients.

Synthetic vitamins may be friendlier on the pocketbook. But, the consumer needs to be aware that the molecular structure that composes these vitamins can sometimes be slightly different than the structure found in nature. It is the slight differences in structure that allow the vitamin to be absorbed differently in the body, or completely unrecognized and eliminated as waste. To be certain that the chosen vitamin contains a digestible form of a particular nutrient, you need to read the label and know what to look for.

Research has shown that specific vitamins have a positive effect on the human immune system and protect people from common illness. Look for the following vitamins and their recommended daily intake amount in your multivitamin.

• Vitamin C – a widely known vitamin used to “boost” immune function. 500-1000 mg daily is the suggested intake because the body cannot store this vitamin.

• Vitamin A – (beta carotene)-aids in the reduction of infectious illnesses. Suggested daily intake: 10,000-25,000 International Units (IUs) daily. (Most multivitamins contain around 10,000 IUs)

• Vitamin E – look for d–alpha tocopherol the natural form of Vitamin E and avoid the synthetic form (dl-alpha tocopherol). Research has shown that those with low blood levels of vitamin E are more prone to infection than those with high levels of vitamin E. Suggested daily intake: 400-800 IUs per day.

• Zinc – among its many other uses has been shown to help prevent a weakened immune system. The suggested intake: 15mg daily.

• Magnesium – in its digestible form (Magnesium Citrate), has been found to be utilized in over 300 different processes in the human body.

• Calcium – look for the digestible forms: Calcium Citrate and Calcium Lactate, but avoid the difficult to digest form: Calcium Carbonate. Calcium has been found to aid in bone health, bone formation and bone strength.

In addition to a quality multivitamin, it is important to include the following in your daily supplement regimen:

Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) – 4,000-10,000 IUs daily. Vitamin D deficiency can be detected by a blood test called 25(OH) D and levels should be 50-80mg/mL all year round from a combination of diet, supplements and the sun. These levels of Vitamin D have been shown in multiple studies to aid in the prevention of cancer and heart disease and improve overall health.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil in the following forms:

• EPA –this is very important for decreasing inflammation (the reason why this supplement has been found to help protect the heart).
• DHA – this is very important especially for nervous system development throughout life. Omega 3s have also been shown to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and provide a protective factor against Alzheimer’s and dementia. The recommended daily dose for an adult is 1,000-3,000 mg (1-3 grams) daily.
• CoQ10 – Research suggests, that among other uses, CoQ10 produces energy that is used to repair and maintain immune system cells, it has been found to be a powerful antioxidant, and it is important in building strong heart muscle cells. The suggested intake: 100 mg or more daily.

Each of these vitamins has beneficial effects on the immune system and has also been shown to improve heart health.

Keep in mind that the overall health and disease prevention benefits received from vitamin supplementation are enhanced through healthy eating habits and regular physical activity.

Dr. Danielle Fink uses Symptom Survey Maestro to indicate stress on a particular system in the body (ie digestive system) at McMahon Chiropractic and Physical Therapy at (715) 834-4516.

by Jen Quinlan

Maybe you don’t get all the chemistry behind why phosphates are bad or what effects doing your laundry can have on the environment. That’s OK! You don’t need to be a chemist to know that every aspect of our lives could probably be a little more ecologically responsible. Thanks to Green Planet’s top experts, we have a few easy-to-follow tips to help you green your laundry room.

Consider multiple wears. One of the simplest ways to cut back on the impact of your laundry is to just plain do less of it. Of course, this doesn’t go for everything, but research by the U.N. Environment Programme found that “you can consume up to five times less energy by wearing your jeans at least three times, washing them in cold water, and skipping the dryer or the iron” (planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/save-energy-with-your-jeans.html).

Choose your detergent wisely. There’s plenty to complain about in traditional laundry products. Phosphates, for one, can cause algal blooms that negatively effect ecosystems and marine life. Look for products that are readily biodegradable, made from plant and vegetable products, are free of phosphates, and don’t have petroleum-based ingredients. Healthier for the planet, and in many cases, much gentler on your skin too. Fabric softener can be replaced with a cup of white vinegar added during the rinse cycle. It naturally balances the pH of soap, so you get soft clothes with no chemical residue.

Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate. Those smaller packages filled with concentrated laundry detergent have a smaller carbon footprint (more useful product gets shipped using less fuel and space) and deliver more bang for the buck.

DIY detergent ain’t so bad. With just a handful of ingredients available at most grocery stores, you can create the greenest laundry detergent you can get your hands on. You’ll know exactly what’s in (or out of) it, and you can personalize the fragrance. There are lots of recipes for liquid and powder detergents online; check it out. You might be surprised how easy they are to make.

Laundry by the Cents We would all like to clean with only green products all the time, but sometimes other factors, like money, get in our way. This handy dandy chart breaks it down.
Regular	Green	High Efficiency
Gain Original 50 oz for roughly $6.50 Cost per load: 27 cents	Seventh Generation Natural 2x Concentrate 50 oz for roughly $5.80 Cost per load: 18 cents**	2x Ultra Tide 50 oz for roughly $8.00 Cost per load: 25 cents
All 2x Ultra Stainlifter 50 oz for roughly $5.50 Cost per load: 17 cents	Clorox Green Work Natural 45 oz for roughly $10 Cost per load: 33 cents	Cheer 100 oz for roughly $11 Cost per load: 17 cents
Tide 50 oz for roughly $8.00 Cost per load: 25 cents	Method 20 oz for roughly $15 Cost per load: 30 cents	2x Ultra Era 50 oz for roughly $5.50 Cost per load: 17 cents
Arm & Hammer 50 oz for roughly $4.00 Cost per load: 13 cents**	Mrs Meyers 32 oz for roughly $8.00 Cost per load: 25 cents	Ultra Purex 50 oz for roughly $3.50 Cost per load: 11 cents**
**Best Value! Info gleened from Real Simple Magazine

Get Energy Star appliances. Maybe investing in a front-load washer isn’t in the budget right now, but when the top-loader is ready to be replaced, consider a top loader with the Energy Star logo; they typically use 18 to 25 gallons per load, compared to 40 gallons for older machines. Another tip: wash in cold water. Not heating the water saves 90% of the energy used for washing and over $100 a year. Also, only run full loads; same goes for the dryer.

Use the line. With over 88 million dryers in the U.S., we’re looking at over a ton of CO2 emissions annually. Harvest free solar energy and avoid the dryer altogether, if you can. Skipping the dryer will also extend the life of your clothes!

Dry wisely. A few things can help improve your drying efficiency if you use the dryer. Clean the lint filter to improve efficiency. Use the moisture sensor if you have one; the machine will shut down once it senses clothes are dry instead of continuing the cycle. Skipping dryer sheets can preserve the life of your fabrics as well as prevent exposure to nasty neurotoxins like toluene and styrene. Try a sachet of dried organic lavender in the dryer for a fresh scent instead of sheets. More great ideas at www.treehugger.com.

Avoid the iron. It zaps energy, deteriorates fabric, and takes up valuable time. Instead, hang clothes up right after the wash cycle; the remaining water in them will work with gravity to pull out most of the wrinkles. Fold dry clothes where you want creases to be, and place them under other clothes in your dresser, which will further help to press them.

Don’t dis’ the laundromat. Commercial washers and dryers are generally more efficient than the domestic versions – bring a good book or enjoy visiting with locals while the wash goes. If you use a drop off service, request green detergents. Get a load of this: a Laundromat in Chicago is even using solar power for their hot H2O; there are some out there embracing alternative energy. If you find one in the area, let us know!

Skip the dry cleaner. Usual dry cleaning is as un-green as it gets, notably due to the health dangers associated with the use of perchloroethylene. We’re talking bladder, esophageal, and cervical cancer; eye, nose, throat and skin irritation; and reduced fertility as potential effects from perc exposure. Try buying clothes that don’t require dry cleaning, and recognize that many delicates can be safely hand washed instead. For items that must be professionally treated, reducing your exposure is a good goal. Greener dry cleaners are coming, like those who use carbon dioxide instead of perc. The EPA has a list of CO2 cleaners that are also on the horizon. Some businesses now use liquid carbon dioxide instead of perc (our nearest CO2 cleaners are in the Twin Cities area, unfortunately: www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/garment/gcrg/cleanguide.pdf).

A Few Top Green Laundry Products

…you can find almost anywhere!

Seventh Generation

This Burlington, Vermont-based company is considered a leader in cultural change in consumer behavior and business ethics. One of the country’s first self-declared “socially responsible” companies, Seventh Generation states that each purchase of their products makes a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, keeping toxic chemicals out of the environment, and making the world a safer place for this and the next seven generations.

Laundry Products: Natural 2X Concentrated Laundry Liquid, Natural Fabric Softener Sheets, Chlorine-free bleach & specially formulated baby laundry liquid

Find it at: Mother Nature Foods, Eau Claire; Target, Eau Claire; Econo Foods, Barron; Island City Co-op, Cumberland; People’s Food Co-op, LaCrosse

Mrs. Meyers (Local Pick!)

Based in Minneapolis, MN, Mrs. Meyers products are named after Thelma Meyers, the mother of the developer of Mrs. Meyers products. Their philosophy: to make straightforward, honest cleaners that smell good and work like the dickens on dirt. Products are aroma therapeutic, based on flowers and scents in Thelma’s garden. Products are biodegradable and cruelty-free, made of naturally derived ingredients whenever possible from corn, sugar cane, coconut, and palm.

Laundry Products: Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener, Dryer Sheets infused with aroma therapy scents including basil, lavender, lemon verbena, geranium, baby blossom, and scent-free

Find it at: Festival Foods, Eau Claire; Just Local Food, Eau Claire; Little Bare Bottoms, Eau Claire; Menomonie Market Co-op, Menomonie

Ecover

Ecover is an international company active in the production of ecological cleaners. Founded in 1980 in Belgium, they marketed a phosphate-free washing powder even before phosphates were branded as a problem. They are now known as the world’s largest producer of ecological cleaning products. Headquarters remain in Belgium, but they now have sites in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Switzerland, and their products are marketed in more than 26 countries.

Laundry Products: Non-chlorine bleach powder & liquid, fabric softener Sunny Day, delicate wash, stain remover, laundry wash & powder

Find it at: Menomonie Market, Menomonie; Festival Foods, Eau Claire; Econo Foods, Barron; South Suburban Buying Club, Eau Claire; Main Street Market, Rice Lake; Island City Co-op, Cumberland; Indigo Iris, Amery; Going Green, Amery; Natural Alternative, Luck

How do you choose a beauty product that is good for both you and the planet? Through the National Organic Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates food ingredients found in cosmetics, and the Certified USDA Organic Symbol is one of the most trustworthy labels around. But because the USDA only has jurisdiction over farm-raised ingredients, not all beauty product ingredients are regulated under this program, and there are more than enough ways to get confused.

Scan the beauty aisle and you will see plenty of labels. “Vegan-friendly” shampoo, or “biodegradable toothpaste” But what do they really mean?

From baby shampoo to facial and beauty cream, there are plenty of mysterious ingredients gracing the labels of health and beauty products on the market these days. And then there are the labels that say things like “organic,” “all-natural,” or “animal cruelty free,” which can leave you just as confused (or more) than the ingredients list does. Whether it’s for the well-being of your children, family or just you, understanding beauty labels can empower you to make better knowledge-based consumer decisions. Here’s the scoop.

Label: Organic
Clear rules make decoding this term easier. In 2005, the USDA started allowing makers of qualified organic beauty and body-care products to use a USDA Organic seal. The term “organic”, as it appears on beauty labels has four variations:

1. 100% organic: The product must contain only organically produced food ingredients, and the label will display the USDA Organic seal.
2. Organic: The product must contain at least 95% organically grown food ingredients, and the label will display the USDA seal.
3. Made with organic ingredients: The product must contain at least 70% organically produced food ingredients. The label will not have the USDA seal.
4. Organic ingredients: Products that contain less than 70% organically produced food ingredients can only include organic ingredients on its ingredients list, but these products cannot display the USDA Organic seal.

Look at the list of ingredients in your favorite “natural” product. You might be surprised to find petrochemicals along with the honey, shea butter, and olive oil. With no definition set by the FDA or any other regulatory agency for what “natural” means in the world of beauty products, take a buyer beware approach.

Fortunately, several legitimately natural product manufacturers have taken matters into their own hands. Companies such as Burt’s Bees and Aubrey Organics have created a Personal Care Committee under the direction of the Natural Products Association (NPA). They are working to define a “natural standard” and creating guidelines for which ingredients do or do not qualify. The group intends to design a seal this year to help consumers easily identify products that meet the criteria. Until then, don’t assume “natural” means anything.

Label: Cruelty-Free
We often associate “cruelty-free” with a bunny logo. Only one agency, the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), conducts a routine check to ensure manufacturers live up to their promise. A union of six animal-rights groups that includes the Humane Society and Beauty Without Cruelty, the CCIC offers its trademarked “leaping bunny” tag to manufacturers who pledge not to test their ingredients on animals or purchase from any third-party supplier who does. Manufacturers also agree to an audit every one to three years to verify their continued use of only cruelty-free suppliers.

With no legal definition for “cruelty-free”, companies have unrestricted use of this term. The FDA points out that while a company may not have tested its finished product on animals, the ingredients may have come from suppliers who did. Look for the CCIC’s leaping bunny on the product. Note that once the “natural” standard is created, products displaying the NPA seal will also have to be cruelty-free.

Animal Testing on Products

If you’re not sure if your favorite brand of beauty products is eco- and animal-friendly, the CCIC offers a shopping-guide. The Coalition requires the companies it lists to prove that neither they, nor their suppliers, will conduct animal tests during any stage of product development. Also, PETA has compiled a list of companies that have signed a “Statement of Assurance” that they and their suppliers don’t and won’t test on animals. You’ll find major brands like Revlon, Avon, and Estee Lauder on the list, as well as natural favorites such as Kiss My Face and Aubrey Organics. “We started 17 years ago with a short list of companies,” says Ann Marie Dori, coordinator of PETA’s Caring Consumer Project. “Today, it has grown to include more than 500 companies that don’t animal test their products.” Just as importantly, PETA also offers a guide listing companies that do test, including Cover Girl, L’Oreal, and Olay. You can download the guides at www.caringconsumer.com or www.leapingbunny.org.

Label: Biodegradable
Products may boast that the liquid inside is “biodegradable”. While that sounds eco-friendly, what exactly does it mean? According to the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines, created in conjuction with the EPA, a product labeled “biodegradable” should decompose “into elements found in nature within a reasonably short period of time”. For liquids that go down the drain, decomposition should finish during the waste-water treatment process. You can log on to “skin deep” at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, and discover which chemicals build up in humans and animals with repeated exposure.

Label: Vegan-Friendly
While no regulatory body oversees the “vegan-friendly” claim, it’s somewhat easy to substantiate, if you know how to read ingredients. Byproducts like honey and milk are obvious no-nos, but the average consumer might not recognize contents that may come from plants–and also animals–such as lactic acid.

Know When to Toss Them

Now that we know a bit more about what our beauty product labels mean, how long does it last? Beauty products do go bad according to Ni’Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist at Cosmetech Labs in Fairfield, NJ. “At best, they stop performing as well as they used to, and at worst, they can cause irritations or infections.” Beyond the obvious signs like dried mascara or separated foundation, it can be tough to tell when something’s past its prime. U.S. labeling regulations do not require an expiration date on most cosmetics. So, here’s an easy “when-to-toss timeline” to go by, recommended by Wilson:

Every season: Toss mascara and liquid liner

Every six months: Toss your skin-care regimen, sunscreens, and liquid foundation

Every year: Toss your hair care products

According to the FDA, natural beauty products have an even shorter shelf life, because their botanical ingredients may be susceptible to microbial growth. Think about pure extract, oil, pulp, fruits. What’s more, though natural preservatives like essential oils of cinnamon, orange, rosemary, and thyme can be potent, when used at low levels they may not be as strong as synthetics.

by Diana DiCristina, Wind Water Harmony

Two of the fundamental principles of feng shui:
~ Everything is energy,
~ Your space reflects your life.

What does your space say about you and your life?

In your mind’s eye, enter your home through your architectural-intended front door. What do you see as if seeing your space for the first time? Go through each room, especially the bedroom and don’t forget the garage. Look under the beds, in the drawers, closets, storage areas and cupboards. Take notice of all that you see. How you feel is a reflection of the energy in your space.

When you have cleared the clutter, you will experience a calm and centered feeling, improved relationships, more money, clarity, more time and space, enhanced creativity, and living your life in harmony with the Universe.

Clutter is anything that keeps you from doing what you want to do. There are four categories of clutter: things you no longer use or love, things not organized or tidy, too many things in a small space, and anything unfinished.

Examples of clutter are mail, laundry, coats and shoes at the entry, hobbies, newspapers and magazines, recycling, collections, gifts, photos, unfinished remodeling projects, e-mail, junk drawers, clothes closet, hard drive on your computer, things on shelves, things under the sink, things in bathroom cabinets, plants, dishes, craft items, etc. You get the idea.

Why is clutter a problem? “What do I do with all my things?” you ask. Let me help you better understand clutter. No judgment allowed. If you have judgment about clutter, it will be much harder sorting through and realizing its hold on you. If your clutter controls you, you do not have freedom to make clear choices. People “shut down” where there is clutter. It totally slows you down and wastes time.

Do you think of your stuff as things you love or are they a “ball and chain”? Ask yourself, Do I love it?” If you don’t love it, someone else will. If you have something that is annoying you, be the river rather than the dam. Move it on. Someone else will be thrilled with the treasure. It is okay to have empty space. Have only the things that you love!

Identify your clutter. Ask, “Does this thing lift my energy and make me feel good? Do I love it? Does it inspire me? Is it special or just nice?” Maybe you really do love it but it brings back sad memories. Is it useful or helpful? Do I use it? Will I need to use it again?

Examine the blockages of letting go of clutter. There are only two factors we are dealing with: love and fear. Approach your clutter with love in your heart. Don’t be afraid. Believe in yourself as you sort through your things. It is safe to let go. Trust. If you find yourself keeping something “just in case,” be aware that you are keeping that thing out of fear. Letting go of your clutter is not only about looking at your stuff but also allowing yourself to look into your heart releasing the fear and trusting that the Universe will provide what you need when you need it.

There can be emotional attachments to clutter. Sentimental clutter is about who gave us the thing, not the thing. When someone dies and you have his or her belongings, go through the process of grieving before you deal with their personal affects. Things have no eternal value. You know how much you loved someone. You don’t need a thing to have that love. Cherish the memories not the thing.

When dealing with clutter, remember you do not need to have excess. You do not have to fear being with nothing. Strive to find balance. Balance in your space provides balance in your life, creating harmony.

Tune in to how something makes you feel when you see it or think about it. If it makes you feel good, find the perfect place for it. If it makes you feel bad, it’s clutter. Regardless of how much you spent on something, if it does not make you feel good, let it go.

To support your energetic intentions, wear something orange. It takes a great deal of will power to clear your clutter. Start small, perhaps with a shelf or a drawer. Remember that you must finish what you start. Otherwise, the clutter will become worse. Experience the change. Cut the energetic ties to the clutter. With a loving heart, thank the objects as you let them go.

Letting go of your clutter and conquering it is not about getting rid of “stuff” as much as it is about understanding the energetic implications. Remember, everything is energy and your space reflects your life.

Diana DiCristina of Wind Water Harmony is a successful entrepreneur specializing in spirituality, feng shui and color. She blends a kaleidoscope of professional practices and methods to help people enhance their lives by working with their environment. More information at windwaterharmony.com

by Yael Grauer

Artificial scents put into most of our cleaning and beauty products these days reek havoc not only on your sense of smell, but our environment. Get smart about the perfumes in your life.

The sense of smell is arguably the strongest, with fragrances being linked to events and emotions in our deepest memories. In fact, smell is one of our earliest senses, belonging to our limbic system or olfactory brain. Scents can release some very pleasant neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin.

Sadly, our glorious sense of smell is not all roses. Commercial scents can do a great deal of harm to both ourselves and our environment.

Phthalates are often included in perfumes and other substances that have scents added. These are endocrine disruptors that affect the body’s hormone system, many of which are listed as reproductive or developmental toxins by the state of California. Some phthalates (such as dibutyl and diethylhexyl) have been banned in cosmetics by the European Union. Although the US government has recently limited the use of pthlalates in baby toys, new research indicates that prenatal exposure is linked to neurodevelopmental issues leading to disruptive and problematic behaviors (such as aggressiveness, conduct disorders, and ADHD) in children aged four to nine. Previous research has indicated a link between phthalates and lower sperm motility in adult men, and birth defects in the reproductive systems of boys. The chemicals are found in plastics, cosmetics, and perfumes and lotions — but it is the latter that are most strongly related to neurodevelopment. And although members of the perfume industry says phthalates are safe in small doses, they are stored in the fat and stay in our bodies for a long time.

Sadly, phthalates are difficult to spot, as they are often hidden in the product’s “fragrance” ingredient, due to an FDA loophole that allows manufacturers to simply use the generic term to protect proprietary secrets. This is true not only in perfumes but also in lipsticks, mascaras, moisturizers and shampoos. Even products labeled as “unscented” can contain phthalates as part of a masking fragrance. Other chemicals can also be included, as the FDA does not systematically review the safety of fragrances, but instead lets the fragrance industry’s own trade association (the International Fragrance Association) regulate itself.

In addition to phthalates, synthetic fragrances can also include parabens (hormone disruptors), sodium laureth sulfate, or PEGS, often contaminated with dioxins. And of course there are other environmental factors to consider the vast majority of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. The U.S. National Academy of Science has also identified certain fragrance ingredients as neurotoxins, though systematic research to determine the safety of these ingredients has not been funded.

Musk scents are often found in perfumes, in the form of nitromusks and polycyclic musks. Both are unregulated, although they are linked to reproductive and fertility problems in women at high levels. These synthetic musks have been found in human fatty tissues, breast milk, and the umblicial cord blood of newborn babies. Synthetic musk has been found in rivers and wastewater, and preliminary research indicates that it may be harmful to aquatic life as well. Galaxolide and Tonalid are two trade names for musks, but they are often simply hidden in the “fragrance” ingredient.

So what’s a healthy and environmentally-conscious consumer to do?

1. Find safe products. Luckily, the Environmental Working Group has compiled an online database of safe cosmetics and personal care products, which can be searched for ingredients.

Some companies have even made a committment to create safer products by signing the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, thereby pledging to meet or exceed formulation standards and deadlines set by the European Union Cosmetics Directive (eliminating their products of chemicals known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation, and birth defects). These companies are listed on the site Skin Deep: Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/) as well as The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (http://safecosmetics.org/).

2. Choose products with no added synthetic fragrances. Just look at the ingredient list and make sure “fragrance” is not listed on the label.

3. Buy products that use natural fragrances or essential oils. Or, buy your own essential oils to spruce up your new safe products. These oils are safe and green, and have the added benefit of their own medicinal properties. Just think, instead of using fragrances that cause harm, you can use fragrances that are healing!

Cautions: Because essential oils are extremely concentrated, do not apply them directly to the skin unless you’ve diluted them in a carrier oil (such as almond oil, grapeseed oil or even olive oil). Make sure to use organically produced essential oils to avoid pesticide residue. Do not ever ingest essential oils.

Some Scent Favorites

• Lemon balm, often called balm (botanically, melissa officianalis) is a wonderful herb often made into tea to cheer the spirit. The oil, which was written about by St. Hildegard of Bingen and used as far back as the 10th century, is extremely calming and revitalizing and good for stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Cedar (cedrus sp.) essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of the woodchips and sawdust of this amazing tree. Often used as a fragrance for men’s products, cedar is warming, harmonizing, and calming. It is excellent for aggression and anger masking fear or discontent.
• Eucalyptus (eucalyptus sp.) oil is great for breathing, and can be applied (in a carrier oil) directly to the chest or used as a steam. It is incredibly effective for asthma, bronchitis, colds and flu. Mentally, eucalyptus is stimulating, increasing concentration or helping with mental sluggishness or overload.
• Lavender (lavandula sp.) is one of the most popular essential oils, and for good reason. It has a light, sweet and flowery scent and aids with relaxation. Add just a few drops to a carrier oil and massage it into your temples for a headache, or simply let the scent waft over you for balancing and cleansing.
• Lemongrass (cymbopogon) is widely used in its country of origin, India, oil is refreshing and tonifying. It also works well as an insect repellant.
• Mint (mentha sp.) Add just a drop to your soap in a morning shower and you’ll definitely wake right up! Mint is as refreshing as it is stimulating, increasing concentration and memory. Be very careful, however, as many people are quite sensitive to this oil!
• Rosemary (rosmarinus officianalis) has been used since ancient times to aid in memory, with students in Greece and Rome wearing wreaths on their head while studying. One would do well by continuing in the tradition by trying the essential oil. Uplifting and strenghtening, this plant does indeed help stimulate the brain.
• Tea tree (melaleuca alternifolia) Although the scent is definitely an acquired one, one can’t deny tea tree oil’s immense benefit as an antiseptic. Tea tree oil has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, and can be used to treat infections such as athlete’s foot.
• Neroli Orange (citrus aurantium or citrus sinensis) is said to be named after Anna Maria de la Tremoille, the Princess of Nerole. The oil is tranquilizing, sweet, and strengthening. It is excellent for cramps, headaches, and digestion. The fruity scent is particularly useful for those who don’t care for flowery scents (like lavender) but could still use some calming and relaxation from a place of strength.
• Ylang ylang (canangium odoratum) means “flower of the flowers” in Malayan. The oil is derived from blossoms of the cananga tree and it is said to be used by newleywed couples in Indonesia. Flowery and exotic, ylang ylang is primarily known for its use as an aphrodisiac, though it can, of course, be used by individuals for its healing and balancing properties.

References:

• The Complete Aromatherapy Handbook: Essential Oils for Radiant Health; Susanne Fischer-Rizzi; 1990
• Skin Deep: Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
• The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics http://safecosmetics.org/
• Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates Affects Childhood Neurodevelopment http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128091746.htm

Home Pesticide Manufacturer Misrepresenting Products as Certified “Organic”

Cornucopia, WI—The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based public interest group that focuses on food and agriculture, today filed legal complaints with the USDA alleging that Wal-Mart, and a North Carolina-based company, HOMS LLC, are violating the USDA organic standards by using conventional agricultural oils, and other ingredients, in pest control products that bear the word organic and the green “USDA organic” seal. The pest control products in question are marketed under the Bio Block label (see front of bottle, back of bottle, and company webpage product screenshot).

A debate has been raging for years whether non-food products, such as pet food and personal care products, are included in the strict regulations that determine the use of the word “organic” on packaging. Most of those products at least had organic ingredients involved in their manufacture, whereas Bio Block pest control products contain not a single organically produced ingredient.

However, there has never been any question that the green “USDA Organic” seal can be used only by producers that follow the rigorous standards mandated by Congress and administered by the USDA’s National Organic Program.

In addition to using the word organic prominently on its label, HOMS uses the USDA seal on at least one of its Bio Block products without specifying that organic ingredients were used, and without disclosing the identity of the organic certifying agent, which is also required by federal organic regulations.

“This amounts to, allegedly, illegally usurping the value of the organic label,” says Mark Kastel, Senior Farm Policy Analyst at Cornucopia. “The USDA Organic seal is meaningful to consumers and should not be used frivolously. This places ethical industry participants at a competitive disadvantage.”

The Bio Block products that appear to violate the organic standards were discovered on the shelves of Wal-Mart stores, resurfacing concerns long held by The Cornucopia Institute, and others in the organic industry, that the giant corporation has failed to take the organic standards seriously.

For years, Cornucopia has criticized Wal-Mart for inventing a “new” organic—food from corporate agribusiness, factory farms, and cheap Chinese imports of questionable authenticity.

Wal-Mart’s store brand organic milk, for example, comes from Aurora Dairy in Boulder, Colorado. In 2007, federal investigators found that Aurora had “willfully” violated 14 tenets of the organic standards, including confining their cattle to feedlots, instead of grazing, and bringing thousands of illegal conventional cows into their organic operation.

Inside Wal-Mart stores, Cornucopia researchers at the time discovered that the company was mislabeling conventional foods as organic, including yogurt, sugar, rice milk, soy milk and produce. Cornucopia notified Wal-Mart’s CEO of the problems with in-store signage, but the corporation ignored these concerns until officials of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the USDA took enforcement actions against Wal-Mart in 2007.

“These instances of mislabeling are emblematic of the company’s lack of investment in knowledgeable staff, its inexperience, and its questionable commitment to organics,” says Kastel.

While Wal-Mart vowed to solve its false and misleading in-store signage problems, Cornucopia says it has failed to ensure that its store brand organic milk, and some of its other product offerings, come from ethical family farmers following the spirit and letter of the organic law.

Now the organic industry watchdog alleges Wal-Mart is once again marketing organic products fraudulently.

Cornucopia contends that it is not only up to farmers, food processors and certifiers to ensure that foods labeled “organic” are truly organic, but that retailers play an important role as well.

Retailers can and do invest in the resources necessary to ensure organic integrity in their stores. The Wedge, a member-owned cooperative grocer in Minneapolis, handled Bio Block pesticides very differently from Wal-Mart when recently approached by one of HOMS’ distributors.

Since The Wedge has invested years in recruiting, hiring, and training qualified staff, it came as no surprise that one of their buyers questioned the legality of Bio Block’s labels.

The Wedge is one of about 275 cooperative grocers in the country, which collectively helped pioneer the growth in the organic industry. The Wedge was one of the first certified organic retailers in the country and has a full-time Organic Certification and Sustainability Coordinator, Susan Stewart.

“We take the confidence our members and shoppers have in The Wedge very seriously,” said Stewart. “Our job is to protect the integrity of the organic label and the authenticity of the food and products we offer in our store.”

Cornucopia states that this collaboration between farmers, organic processors and retailers, in partnership with the USDA, makes the organic label the gold standard in helping consumers choose safe and ethically produced food.

“As an organic industry watchdog, we make sure that stakeholders in the organic community, like The Wedge, are not placed at a competitive disadvantage by outfits like Wal-Mart that are attempting to profiteer from the trust consumers have in the organic label,” stated Cornucopia’s Kastel.

The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit farm policy research group, is dedicated to the fight for economic justice for the family-scale farming community. Their Organic Integrity Project acts as a corporate and governmental watchdog assuring that no compromises to the credibility of organic farming methods and the food it produces are made in the pursuit of profit. Their web page can be viewed at www.cornucopia.org.

Belly Dance: It’s for Every Body

I teach and perform Belly Dance. After a recent performance a friend said to me: “Wow! That was fantastic! I could never do that!” To which I replied: “Of course you can! Every body can dance.” Her comment got me thinking. Why do some people think they can’t or shouldn’t dance? It is my philosophy that every movement is a dance and every moment is a chance to dance. But why is it that we so often forget that joyful movement is our birthright? My approach to teaching is to use Belly Dance as a means for women to reclaim and celebrate our whole selves through a joyous dance.

Belly Dance is a term primarily used in the Western world to describe a plethora of dancing styles coming out of the Middle East. Though belly is in the term, students coming into classes are not required to show their bellies and there is not a focus on making the belly move by itself. That’s just one aspect.

I feel compelled to yell out to everyone in the region that Belly Dance is truly for every body. Not just for the thin belly or the voluptuous belly. Not just for after you’ve lost 10 pounds. Why allow self-judgment and perfectionism about our bodies to stand in the way of a chance to move joyfully?

The belly is an all too often chagrined area of our form, oft misunderstood, and certainly under-utilized. While it’s true that Belly Dancing has the potential of waking up movements and muscles throughout that section, and there are the inevitable belly laughs shared by the students that gather, there are no requirements for belly size, shape, or aptitude. All women are welcome and encouraged to give Belly Dance a try.

We each have a belly and we each are ripe with creative potential. My class teaches Belly Dance from the ground up. We start by simply getting the rhythm in our feet and moving it up and out of us, improvising movements as we go, expressing ourselves organically. Isolations are also introduced (the movements of the dance) as well as traveling steps.

There is an art to Belly Dance. The art for me includes isolating movement in one part of the body, such as the hips or rib cage, while the rest of the body remains still. Eventually we get to layer movements on top of others like coordinating Snake Arms while stepping the Grapevine or adding a shimmy to a pelvic circle.

The layers and the isolations are integrated into choreographed or improvised pieces, another aspect of the art. Whether dancing to live musicians (a wonderful dynamic) or to a favorite recorded song, we get to put the moves into a variety of sequences that the teacher may offer or that you interpret from your own experience. The mastery of the art comes with practice, persistence and patience, over time.

But while mastery may come over time, it is not the point. As adults, we are often quick to judge ourselves in a learning environment. We approach dance, or other new skills, with an expectation that we should “get it” right away, or that we need to do the movement perfectly after a couple classes, otherwise we might as well give up. Self-compassion is important in learning anything new. If you get a chance, observe a small child learning to walk and marvel at her persistence. The young child isn’t counting the number of times she’s fallen; she gains more information with each fall, refining her movements constantly.

I invite students to get curious about their own process of learning. How do these new movements feel? What is it like to dance to new rhythms and songs? In class, I provide an environment to explore: to get a feeling of the rhythm of the music being played, to get a general rhythmic sense into the body, and to try out new ways of moving—up-down, side-side, in circles, diagonally, forward-back, in various traveling steps, etc. Let the joy come first and the moves will follow almost magically.

We embark on a journey of getting more comfortable being in our whole selves—body, mind, all our parts into one whole. We get clear about setting an intention for movement, trusting that with time, the movements will come and will come from an authentic place. We begin to get comfortable moving and groovin’ within a group of people. Whenever possible, I relate the Belly Dance moves to movements many people are already familiar with in daily activities.

Every movement is a dance and every moment is a chance to dance.

Women might hold back from Belly Dance because of a misconception about what Belly Dance is. They might think it is an erotic dance performed for men. While any dance or movement can be expressed or perceived as erotic, as I teach Belly Dance, it is by women for women. People also think of it as a solo performer’s dance when it can really be a group experience within a community of women. And it has a deep history in this vein.

In the history of Belly Dance, there is evidence that at women-centered gatherings, women would perform movements that expectant mothers could learn to facilitate childbirth, or at the very least, that could be seen as sympathetic movement to encourage the laboring mother (see the dancer Morocco’s account (http://www.casbahdance.org/GIVE2LIGHT.htm). Moreover, women in many Middle Eastern countries (and around the world) come together around various life events, celebrating in laughter, music, and dance. It’s a natural part of being together.

Not only are there many events where women have the opportunity to share dance, there are many different types of Belly Dance. The style of dance I teach and perform is called Tribal Fusion. It’s a generalized term that encompasses a broad base of styles of dancing, music, and costuming. The dancing comes from the Middle East, North Africa, India, Spanish Flamenco, Gypsy Rom, and North, Central and South American dance forms. The costuming has a “tribal” look, though there is no specific tribe to which to attribute the look. Coins, pendants, fabrics, and more originate from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other countries. There are crafters and musicians from the U.S. who are also creating costume pieces and music inspired by these cultures and these styles of dance.

The term “tribal” not only describes the style of costuming, but also speaks to a way of life. Women who dance together encourage each other to grow within an accepting community. My students are becoming increasingly more comfortable in their own skin, more connected with each other, more courageous with their movements, and they are taking opportunities to costume up and perform in front of others together. It’s wonderful! The women who come to class are beautiful and varied in size, age, and background.

Dancing to our hearts’ content is a joyful way to celebrate our lives on Earth. Moving, swaying, skipping, etc. to rhythms and to melodies is innate to us. Belly Dance, culturally based in the Middle East, offers us a wide range of expression of our whole selves. Dance is for everyone. Belly Dance is for every body.

by Sandra Helpsmeet

Anyone who has experienced a significant loss knows that one’s body and mind are profoundly affected by it. The normal and natural reaction of grieving simply happens. And it is painful. The pain can be physical, with aching head, neck, chest, and back being common symtoms. The pain can be emotional, such as anger, despondency, sadness, fear, and confusion. Some common reactions are hard to categorize, like the low energy, apathy, difficulty eating and sleeping, difficulty with focus and memory, and numbing fatigue. The body is sent into a stress response, which can make one more vulnerable to becoming ill. As is true in the face of any pain, we frequently contract around it, creating areas of tension in the body that become more painful, or simply numb. Or we organize around the pain. Either way, the pain of grief can easily become the center of our lives at least for a time.

In addition, grief triggers old loss, so we may find ourselves grieving for more than one loss. And all of this occurs in a cultural surround that does not give much permission or safe space for grieving. While it is helpful, important even, to eat well, exercise, get adequate sleep, nurture oneself, and receive understanding, non-judgmental support, that can be easier said than done. Yoga and meditation can be very helpful in this welter of confusion and pain. Yoga is a mind/body/spirit practice, so it is uniquely positioned to help on all those levels. The physical practice (asana), breathing practice, meditation, and spiritual understandings of yoga cannot make grieving go away, but they can help us change our relationship to our grief.

The physical practice of asana invites the practitioner to focus inwardly, noticing body sensations, thoughts, images, and feelings. Keeping attention focused on the experience of the pose helps students see that they focus instead of being at the mercy of their thoughts and feelings. Asana practice helps the student find and release areas of tension, the tension of grief held in the tissues of the body, thus reducing pain. Breathing exercises help bring the mind-body connection into awareness, calm the stress response, and create stillness. The practice of deep relaxation helps integrate experience and bring new awareness into focus. Through the combination of practices, students learn to suspend judgment and step back and observe. This can create greater awareness of how we are responding to our grief.

In the process of trying to hide, deny, or manage our grief, we can inadvertently do things that increase our suffering. We flee our ‘in the moment’ experience by either shutting down our awareness or entertaining worse images of the future out of fear of future losses. We desperately try to believe that we can have ease by escaping our present experience, which can never work. It is only by being in our present experience that we can change our relationship to it. Ken Druck, a grief counselor and yoga practitioner says, “Through yoga, people can learn to modulate the breath, the pain, and the obsessive thinking.” Diane Roberts of Foundation Yoga says: “… I tell students…that rather than trying to ‘get over it’ or ‘work through it’, try to integrate your grief into who you are … Yoga helps you live in your body with your emotions.”

Yoga teaches that everything changes, including what is me and mine. When we think about it, it is obvious that this is true. Yoga also gives us a way to get in touch with our essence, that which does not change. Learning to sit or stand with this touchstone gives us a way to weather the storms of grief. Asana practice, breathing practice, and meditation, give us glimpses of this deep stillness.

To find a yoga class or teacher that can help you when you are grieving, you may need to look around and try things out. A class situation and/or teacher who can provide safe space is enormously helpful because it is possible that the practice of yoga may unlock areas of the body and release emotions or thoughts. You may want to cry, or to stop and reflect or write in a journal. A safe space can help you feel free to do so.

Sometimes when one is feeling lethargic or anxious it can be helpful to do some strong poses to help one get back into one’s body and connected to life energy. Sometimes one needs more gentle movement or nourishing poses. A sensitive teacher can help facilitate what one needs. If there is a yoga class for grief near you, that is ideal. If not, a class that feels safe to you and allows you to do what you need to can be a very good alternative. It is also possible to arrange private lessons with a teacher.

Yoga is often thought of as a practice that helps you feel good, but feeling good is not really the point. Being aware of what is real for us in the moment is closer to yoga’s aim. Being in the moment takes us closer to our essence, and acceptance of what is takes us closer to peace. Sometimes that takes us into pain that we would like to avoid, but as is usually true, the shortest way is through. Yoga teaches us that clinging to pleasure and avoiding pain keeps us trapped. Accepting, breathing, being with what is, helps us come to the point where we can let go and allow a new view to arise.

“He who binds to himself a joy Does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity’s sunrise.” ­­–William Blake

by Mary Anderson, Genesis Acres

Recently newspapers and television news have been discussing the issue of raw milk. The issue at hand is whether raw milk sales in Wisconsin should be legalized. Fifty years ago legislation was passed that prevented the sale of raw milk even though raw milk had been consumed for years prior to the invention of pasteurization and other modern milk processing practices.

Raw milk is essentially just as it sounds. Milk that comes right out of the cow, only being filtered before it goes into the bulk tank. The bulk tank is a stainless steel container that acts not only as storage but also as the refrigerator in which the milk is cooled to a temperature of 36 degrees. Milk from dairy farms is accumulated in the bulk tanks for 24 to 48 hours (most cows are milked 2 times a day, so 48 hours worth of milk is only 4 milkings). Then the milk is picked up after being weighed and sampled by a bulk milk hauler that will take the milk to the creamery where it is pasteurized, homogenized, and processed into bottled milk, cheese, butter, etc. Most of the dairy products consumers have access to today are those of processed milk, and unless purposefully sought out, consumers do not have easy access to “raw milk”.

Although farm families have the ability to, and often drink raw milk, the sale of raw milk is prohibited in Wisconsin. But growing consumer demand is pushing farmers and consumers to go underground to source this wholesome, unadulterated product. Several business models have been attempted by dairy producers to allow their consumer families legal access to raw milk. Some milk is picked up on farm by consumers as a dividend to their investment in the dairy operation. Some consumers own a cow within the herd. But even these carefully thought out strategies are considered suspect by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection in Madison. Most dairy farmers have been threatened with censure or loss of their state license to produce and sell milk if they do not cease raw milk trade.

Fast Facts

• Twenty-eight U.S. states do not prohibit sales of raw milk. In some states, consumers may purchase a cow share, which gives them access to raw milk.  In others, raw milk can be purchased for animal consumption, but not for humans.  In Wisconsin, raw milk sales are currently prohibited.
• Most countries that prohibit the sale of raw milk, allow the sale of raw milk cheeses.
• In 2002, the FDA reported that 200 cases of illness were traced back to raw milk consumption; in 2006, 262 people became ill after eating E. coli contaminated spinach, 1 died.
• In 2010, over 4.9 million pounds of beef (processed at federally inspected industrial processing plants) were recalled due to E. coli contamination.

So why the big issue? The consumers who are rallying behind raw milk feel that raw milk has nutritional benefits that are not available once the raw milk has been pasteurized (heated to 160 degrees). Stories voiced at the public hearing held at Chippewa Valley Technical College and hosted by the Assembly Committee on Rural Economic Development and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education on the issue, discussed the benefits such as reduction in lactose intolerance symptoms, reduction in asthmatic symptoms, better immune system performance, and many more. Doctors, homeopathic practitioners, and individual consumers voiced this information.

Because this was a public hearing, scathing testimonials were also voiced by the Wisconsin Department of Health, the Wisconsin Association of Veterinarians, and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. They spoke in opposition of the proposed new legislation that would legalize the sale of raw milk (Assembly bill 628/Senate bill 434). Why the opposition? Health risks associated with the consumption of raw milk. Raw milk has been blamed for illnesses associated with camphobacter, salmonella, and E. coli. These are also very common food borne pathogens that have been linked back to improperly handled beef and chicken, as well as lettuce, spinach, and other vegetables.

To help consumers who desire the option of purchasing raw milk, contact your state legislator and urge them to support the proposed Assembly Bill 628/Senate Bill 434.

Pasteurized vs. Raw

Pasteurized cow’s milk is the number one allergic food in this country. It has been associated with a number of symptoms and illnesses including:

• Diarrhea
• Cramps
• Bloating
• Gas
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Skin rashes
• Allergies
• Colic in infants
• Osteoporosis
• Increased tooth decay
• Arthritis
• Growth problems in children
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Atherosclerosis
• Acne
• Recurrent ear infections in children
• Type 1 diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Infertility
• Leukemia
• Autism

Raw milk, on the other hand, is not associated with any of these problems, and even people who have been allergic to pasteurized milk for many years can typically tolerate and even thrive on raw milk. Raw milk is truly one of the most profoundly healthy foods you can consume, and you’ll feel the difference once you start to drink it.