I couldn't wait to post this, as I just found it too disturbing. Please check out the article, Feds Tell Court They Can Decide What You Eat. Yes, that's right. Our government has officially taken the position that we citizens do not have the right to choose the food we put in our bodies!
In a nutshell, the lawsuit in question is about the sale of raw dairy. The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund claims that we have a "fundamental right to (our) own bodily and physical health". As health is largely influenced by what foods we eat, this means we have a right to choose what we consume. Seems logical enough.
Our government, however, says, "no", we citizens do not have a "fundamental right" to obtain what food we choose. The government cites safety concerns as the basis for this position. In fact, there is legislation pending to allow the government to take even more control over the food and beverages we consume. Thanks. That's just what we need. More government meddling.
S. 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010 is another lengthy, disasterous piece of legislation that sounds good (supposedly promotes food safety), but will ultimately have the opposite effect. It is legislation that, yet again, seeks to undermine the small, independent farmer, while supporting the large, corporate, agri-businessness farms. It is the mass-produced, giant farms that are putting our food supply at risk in the first place! Further legislation regulating the small farmer isn't going to help make our food supply any safer. It will only cause more family farms to suffer. But, that is what the larger food producers what, so that's what our politicians give them.
In this specific case dealing with raw dairy, most of the general population in the US would be horrified to drink unpasturized milk. When you take a step back and think about it, pasturization is a relatively new process when considering the entirety of human history, and our practice of drinking the milk of other mammals (cows, goats, sheep, etc.). Somehow, we managed as a species to survive drinking raw milk.
The purpose of pasturizing milk is to prevent pathogens developing in the milk and making us sick. These pathogens thrive in the filthy, dirty, feces-infested conditions common to commercial cattle operations. For most people with common sense (and a sense of decency to the animal), the answer would be to prevent the problem from existing in the first place. CLEAN UP THESE COMMERCIAL DAIRIES! Give the cows a healthy place to exist. Cleanliness prevents disease. But, these dairies are just so large that they don't want to pay for the labor that would be necessary to keep their facilities clean, and they simply don't care about the wellfare of their livestock.
Small dairy farms, on the other hand, have a much easier time maintaining the cleanliness of their facility. They take pride in their operation, and both the animals and the product reflect this. The only dairy licensed to sell raw dairy in Massachusetts is only a couple of towns away. There is just no comparison in taste between raw and pasturized dairy. They offer a superior product, from an inspected clean facility. I feel much safer drinking this local raw milk than I do eating prepackaged foods that are increasingly being recalled for salmonella contamination from their factory-farm packaging and shipping methods.
The product is sold directly from the farm to consumer. No middle men. No shipping, warehousing, minimal packaging, etc. This sounds like a good thing, right? Less fuel and waste consumed in getting product to market is ecologically sound. Everyone, including the government, is supposedly going green these days. This seems like the perfect arrangement. So, what's the problem?
A very important point to consider: the government loses a ton of money in taxes when farmers sell direct to consumers. While there is no sales tax on food, there is tax on the fuel used to ship food, taxes on the income of the truck driver delivering the product, taxes on the energy used to pasturize and to keep the milk cold in storage, and so on. Every time another hand gets involved, there's another tax.
By cutting out the middle men, we also cut out income through taxation, and that's not good for the government. This may not seem like a big deal, but when you consider the increasing number of people growing their own food these days to help stretch the budget a bit further, and the growing number of people who join the push for fresh, local foods every day, it adds up to a big deal.
This isn't just about raw dairy. The more disturbing aspect is that the federal government is claiming that we do not have a right to chose what we put in our own bodies. If this line of thinking is accepted and becomes legal precedent, we will then have a very dangerous situation. The government could take it a step further and then argue that citizens have no right to grow our own fruits and veggies in our backyards. Will this be used to confiscate, or (more likely) tax us, for each chicken or duck that we keep?
This is simply too much power and control for our government to have. We do not need more government meddling and power-grabbing. If we want better, safer, more sustainable food, we need to encourage the local farmer- not stifle him or her. I urge you to contact your representatives, and object to this proposed legislation. But even more than that, I urge to plant something edible- even if it's a single basil plant in a window sill, more if you can.
Live better, a little every day.
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Friday, May 14, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Herbal Remedy- Ear Ache Treatment
Few things are more painful and upsetting to children as an ear infection. Like clockwork, ear aches seem to start on the weekend- when the pediatrician's office is closed! No one wants to spend hours in an emergency room with an inconsolable child, especially when ERs are filled with contagious people and more worrisome possibilities (like MRSA).
Caring for the discomfort of an ear infection at home until you can get a doctor's appointment is easy. Take a cotton ball, and dip it in garlic-infused olive oil. (Dip, not soak. It should be damp, not dripping.) Add 3-4 drops of lavendar essential oil. Frangrance/perfume oil will not do, as they lack the plant's natural chemical constituents. Work the cotton ball to fit in the outer part of the ear in the same way an ear plug would fit. Leave the cotton ball in place for 30-60 minutes at a time.
Both garlic and lavender have antibiotic properties, and lavender helps provide pain relief. The olive oil provides the medium to apply the garlic and helps prevent the lavender oil from drying out the skin.
To make garlic-infused olive oil, add to a crock pot chopped fresh garlic and cover with olive oil. Warm on the lowest setting for at least 2 hours, longer if possible. Strain out the garlic, bottle, and store in the fridge. Let the oil return to room temp before using.
Another step one could try would be to add the herb mullein. I know several people who have used mullein for their ear drops, but I, as yet, have not. In the past, I haven't had much need for mullein, so I never kept it in my herb stocks. Now with two small children, that may change. Any way to make a more effective ear drop is a good thing. To make a mullein-infused oil, take a glass jar, fill with mullein and pour in olive oil to cover. Try to leave very little air space at the top. Secure the jar closed and leave it in a sunny window all day, shaking the jar every few hours. Or, use the crockpot method if you don't have all day, or it's raining on the day you need to make the oil. You can put the garlic and the mullein in the oil to infuse at the same time.
Keep these oils in the fridge to prevent spoilage. Infused oils should be viable for one week if kept in the fridge. Longer than that, and you run the risk of botulism developing. Lavender essential oil, however, does not have these storage concerns. Just store it in th bottle it came in (usually a dark, amber, glass bottle).
If you already have a source for herbal supplies, that's great. If you need one, I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs. This is where I get my herbal supplies.
Live better, a little every day.
Caring for the discomfort of an ear infection at home until you can get a doctor's appointment is easy. Take a cotton ball, and dip it in garlic-infused olive oil. (Dip, not soak. It should be damp, not dripping.) Add 3-4 drops of lavendar essential oil. Frangrance/perfume oil will not do, as they lack the plant's natural chemical constituents. Work the cotton ball to fit in the outer part of the ear in the same way an ear plug would fit. Leave the cotton ball in place for 30-60 minutes at a time.
Both garlic and lavender have antibiotic properties, and lavender helps provide pain relief. The olive oil provides the medium to apply the garlic and helps prevent the lavender oil from drying out the skin.
To make garlic-infused olive oil, add to a crock pot chopped fresh garlic and cover with olive oil. Warm on the lowest setting for at least 2 hours, longer if possible. Strain out the garlic, bottle, and store in the fridge. Let the oil return to room temp before using.
Another step one could try would be to add the herb mullein. I know several people who have used mullein for their ear drops, but I, as yet, have not. In the past, I haven't had much need for mullein, so I never kept it in my herb stocks. Now with two small children, that may change. Any way to make a more effective ear drop is a good thing. To make a mullein-infused oil, take a glass jar, fill with mullein and pour in olive oil to cover. Try to leave very little air space at the top. Secure the jar closed and leave it in a sunny window all day, shaking the jar every few hours. Or, use the crockpot method if you don't have all day, or it's raining on the day you need to make the oil. You can put the garlic and the mullein in the oil to infuse at the same time.
Keep these oils in the fridge to prevent spoilage. Infused oils should be viable for one week if kept in the fridge. Longer than that, and you run the risk of botulism developing. Lavender essential oil, however, does not have these storage concerns. Just store it in th bottle it came in (usually a dark, amber, glass bottle).
If you already have a source for herbal supplies, that's great. If you need one, I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs. This is where I get my herbal supplies.
Live better, a little every day.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Home Remedy Project
Something like, "the best laid plans of mice and men..." keeps repeating in my head. Just as I was getting back on my feet after giving birth, our household got hit by a nasty respiratory bug. Everyone has weathered it fairly well. I, on the other hand, have been run down from being up with the baby all night and the toddler all day. Nursing takes a bit of energy as well. So, I was hit the hardest. My head was too foggy to read, write, or do much else for the past week.
There is no time, however, to be under the weather when there are two little ones to care for. While we wait for seeds to sprout and plants to get established, I've decided to revamp my first aid kit and my herbal medicine supplies. The next few blog entries will focus on this project.
Live better, a little everyday.
There is no time, however, to be under the weather when there are two little ones to care for. While we wait for seeds to sprout and plants to get established, I've decided to revamp my first aid kit and my herbal medicine supplies. The next few blog entries will focus on this project.
Live better, a little everyday.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
VBACs, C-Sections, and Pregnant Patient's Rights, Part Three
This is the third and final installment of my series on VBACs, C-Sections and patient rights. This blog post will focus on whether or not hospital bans on VBACs is legally enforceable or not, and what you can do if your hospital has a ban on VBACs.
First and foremost, bans on VBACs are policies, not laws. I recall the way my former ob-gyn explained things to me just before I was backed into having a c-section. She made it sound as if it were the law in Massachusetts that all future deliveries would be mandated to be c-sections. She didn't come out and specifically say that, but she implied it. When I was training to specialize in Prenatal Massage, Labor Support Massage, and Postpartum Massage, many other Massage Therapists in my class were also under the impression that our state had made VBACs illegal. Thankfully, we had several midwives taking the course that set the record straight.
Here's the bottom line: hospital bans on VBACs are NOT legally enforceable. No hospital can lawfully force you to have any treatment or procedure that you do not want to have! As a patient, you have the right to refuse treatment. If your healthcare provider or any medical facility claims that you are required to have a c-section, or any other procedure for that matter, they are violating the law.
That does not mean that hospital staff and ob-gyns won't try to convince you that they do have the right to enforce the policy banning VBACs. Dealing with authority figures, and doctors often play that role, can result in a perceived imbalance of power unfavorable to the patient. This is where it pays to be properly informed about your rights as a patient.
Hospitals are also required by law to treat any woman who comes to their facility in active labor. If that hospital has banned VBACs, you may NOT be turned away for refusing a c-section. You are protected by the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). A common response for hospitals with a ban on VBACs is to attempt to transfer you to a different hospital by ambulance. However, the hospital must get your consent to move you. Understand that they are trying to skirt the law, and stand your ground. They are in the wrong- not you!
For a step-by-step guide to protect your rights, check out the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) web site, specifically this page where you will find instructions on how to file a grievance with the hospital's Chief Compliance Officer, what to do if they dismiss your complaint, how to document your refusal to an automatic repeat c-section, how to report EMTALA violations, and information on filing lawsuits.
As a reminder, my posts are referring to repeat c-sections that are not medically necessary, but repeat c-sections to accomodate policy only. The first surgery was risky enough, even in those cases where they were necessary.
Live better, a little every day.
First and foremost, bans on VBACs are policies, not laws. I recall the way my former ob-gyn explained things to me just before I was backed into having a c-section. She made it sound as if it were the law in Massachusetts that all future deliveries would be mandated to be c-sections. She didn't come out and specifically say that, but she implied it. When I was training to specialize in Prenatal Massage, Labor Support Massage, and Postpartum Massage, many other Massage Therapists in my class were also under the impression that our state had made VBACs illegal. Thankfully, we had several midwives taking the course that set the record straight.
Here's the bottom line: hospital bans on VBACs are NOT legally enforceable. No hospital can lawfully force you to have any treatment or procedure that you do not want to have! As a patient, you have the right to refuse treatment. If your healthcare provider or any medical facility claims that you are required to have a c-section, or any other procedure for that matter, they are violating the law.
That does not mean that hospital staff and ob-gyns won't try to convince you that they do have the right to enforce the policy banning VBACs. Dealing with authority figures, and doctors often play that role, can result in a perceived imbalance of power unfavorable to the patient. This is where it pays to be properly informed about your rights as a patient.
Hospitals are also required by law to treat any woman who comes to their facility in active labor. If that hospital has banned VBACs, you may NOT be turned away for refusing a c-section. You are protected by the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). A common response for hospitals with a ban on VBACs is to attempt to transfer you to a different hospital by ambulance. However, the hospital must get your consent to move you. Understand that they are trying to skirt the law, and stand your ground. They are in the wrong- not you!
For a step-by-step guide to protect your rights, check out the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) web site, specifically this page where you will find instructions on how to file a grievance with the hospital's Chief Compliance Officer, what to do if they dismiss your complaint, how to document your refusal to an automatic repeat c-section, how to report EMTALA violations, and information on filing lawsuits.
As a reminder, my posts are referring to repeat c-sections that are not medically necessary, but repeat c-sections to accomodate policy only. The first surgery was risky enough, even in those cases where they were necessary.
Live better, a little every day.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
VBACs, C-Sections, and Pregnant Patient's Rights, Part Two
Welcome to part two of my series on VBACs, c-sections, and pregnant patient's rights. This entry will focus on why I'm covering this topic here on this blog, and why some hospitals have a policy banning VBACs.
Some readers may be wondering how this topic fits into the blog's focus, which is doing something every day to make our lives better through prepping, homesteading, and building our level of self-sufficiency, please consider this: c-sections are the most common surgery performed on women in the US. We're talking half of the population who are at risk for having a major surgery, necessary or not. This comes with the risk of severe complications, including death, not only at the time of surgery, but for the rest of the woman's life.
Almost everyone will either know a woman or be a woman who has to face the choice of whether to have this kind of surgery. Sometimes, it will truly be a lifesaving, necessary proceedure. The mother's ob-gyn can absolutely provide all the reasons for having one. As someone who was not provided ALL the facts in order to make an informed decision about medical interventions during my son's birth which forced a c-section to become necessary, I feel it is better to have all the information, both pros and cons. An ob-gyn isn't going to give you all the cons, and the cons they do discuss, they will gloss over.
The decision to have a c-section can have implications for the rest of a woman's life. It is something that can effect one's preparations, family size, and so much more. And that is why I'm spending so much time covering the topic here.
Why ban VBACs?
There are three primary reasons hospitals ban VBACs:
Even though the study does not show any real statistical change from other recent studies showing VBACs to be a safe alternative for 99% of women, it has been cited by media and doctors as proving sgnificant risk to laboring women who have already had a prior c-section and their babies. Unfortunately, there are issues with the accuracy of how the data was collected, and in some cases not enough data was collected for it to be statistically significant enough for any conclusion to be drawn. What it did show was that an increased risk of uterine rupture is actually linked to common medical interventions, such as inducing and augmenting labor.
The study is further limited to information gathered through insurance records of hospital births only. No data was collected from VBACs from homebirths or birthing centers. The problem with using insurance codes to collect data for analysis is that the codes cover several conditions and ultimately do not represent only women who experienced a uterine tear during an attempted VBAC, thus skewing the results to look like this complication occurred more often than it did. For a more thorough critique of this study, please check out the article found here.
The misuse of this study often leads to hospitals banning VBACs in order to protect themselves from lawsuits. As this study does not actually show any increased risk over 1%, which was the same risk level used for years as evidence of how safe VBACs statistically are, one should really question, "why the change in policy?" How can a 1% risk mean "safe" one day, and "too risky" the next?
Hospitals often base their decisions on recommedations for laboring patients from ACOG. The purpose of the ACOG is not to protect the health care of women, but to protect and further the careers of their membership. ACOG is an organization that makes its decisions by consensus. This consensus is of doctors who's livelihoods depend on women giving birth in a hospital setting and plugging into the hospital and medical insurance system. This often includes recommendations of induction with the use of Pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin. The use of Pitocin results in far more intense and painful contractions than with the body's natural oxytocin. The use of Pitocin is specifically what the Lydon-Rochelle study linked to an increased risk of uterine rupture in VBACs.
As for cost, the cost of a vaginal delivery is significantly less than a c-section. According to an article at CostHelper, in 2008, the average cost of a vaginal birth ranged from $9K-$17K, while a c-section ranged from $14K-$25K or more, depending on location. Labor induction (which is most always Pitocin) is at an extra cost.
Care from a midwife, however, costs about 1/3 less than care from an ob-gyn, and is statiscally more likely to result in a lesser expensive, vaginal delivery. Midwives often advocate for VBACs for their patients who have had prior c-sections, providing that the scar is a low, transverse scar with no jagged edges (as sometimes happens when a tear happens during the c-section). Such a delivery is generally healthier for both mom and baby, but does not generate as much income for the hospital. And that is, quite literally, the bottome line.
Live better, a little every day.
Some readers may be wondering how this topic fits into the blog's focus, which is doing something every day to make our lives better through prepping, homesteading, and building our level of self-sufficiency, please consider this: c-sections are the most common surgery performed on women in the US. We're talking half of the population who are at risk for having a major surgery, necessary or not. This comes with the risk of severe complications, including death, not only at the time of surgery, but for the rest of the woman's life.
Almost everyone will either know a woman or be a woman who has to face the choice of whether to have this kind of surgery. Sometimes, it will truly be a lifesaving, necessary proceedure. The mother's ob-gyn can absolutely provide all the reasons for having one. As someone who was not provided ALL the facts in order to make an informed decision about medical interventions during my son's birth which forced a c-section to become necessary, I feel it is better to have all the information, both pros and cons. An ob-gyn isn't going to give you all the cons, and the cons they do discuss, they will gloss over.
The decision to have a c-section can have implications for the rest of a woman's life. It is something that can effect one's preparations, family size, and so much more. And that is why I'm spending so much time covering the topic here.
Why ban VBACs?
There are three primary reasons hospitals ban VBACs:
- Their decision is based on severely outdated and manipulated information.
- They are attempting to protect the hospital from litigation.
- C-sections are more profitable.
Even though the study does not show any real statistical change from other recent studies showing VBACs to be a safe alternative for 99% of women, it has been cited by media and doctors as proving sgnificant risk to laboring women who have already had a prior c-section and their babies. Unfortunately, there are issues with the accuracy of how the data was collected, and in some cases not enough data was collected for it to be statistically significant enough for any conclusion to be drawn. What it did show was that an increased risk of uterine rupture is actually linked to common medical interventions, such as inducing and augmenting labor.
The study is further limited to information gathered through insurance records of hospital births only. No data was collected from VBACs from homebirths or birthing centers. The problem with using insurance codes to collect data for analysis is that the codes cover several conditions and ultimately do not represent only women who experienced a uterine tear during an attempted VBAC, thus skewing the results to look like this complication occurred more often than it did. For a more thorough critique of this study, please check out the article found here.
The misuse of this study often leads to hospitals banning VBACs in order to protect themselves from lawsuits. As this study does not actually show any increased risk over 1%, which was the same risk level used for years as evidence of how safe VBACs statistically are, one should really question, "why the change in policy?" How can a 1% risk mean "safe" one day, and "too risky" the next?
Hospitals often base their decisions on recommedations for laboring patients from ACOG. The purpose of the ACOG is not to protect the health care of women, but to protect and further the careers of their membership. ACOG is an organization that makes its decisions by consensus. This consensus is of doctors who's livelihoods depend on women giving birth in a hospital setting and plugging into the hospital and medical insurance system. This often includes recommendations of induction with the use of Pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin. The use of Pitocin results in far more intense and painful contractions than with the body's natural oxytocin. The use of Pitocin is specifically what the Lydon-Rochelle study linked to an increased risk of uterine rupture in VBACs.
As for cost, the cost of a vaginal delivery is significantly less than a c-section. According to an article at CostHelper, in 2008, the average cost of a vaginal birth ranged from $9K-$17K, while a c-section ranged from $14K-$25K or more, depending on location. Labor induction (which is most always Pitocin) is at an extra cost.
Care from a midwife, however, costs about 1/3 less than care from an ob-gyn, and is statiscally more likely to result in a lesser expensive, vaginal delivery. Midwives often advocate for VBACs for their patients who have had prior c-sections, providing that the scar is a low, transverse scar with no jagged edges (as sometimes happens when a tear happens during the c-section). Such a delivery is generally healthier for both mom and baby, but does not generate as much income for the hospital. And that is, quite literally, the bottome line.
Live better, a little every day.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Happy Holiday Stress
I had to sit back, take some deep breaths, and remember not to take other people's holiday-stress-induced reactions personally today. No easy feat, considering that I'm pregnant, hormonal, and ready to cry over just about anything these days. After being the target of a telephone rant from a relative-gone-crazed from holiday stress, I turned the phone ringer off and made myself a nice hot cup of spearmint tea with milk and honey.
I just can't relate to all the holiday insanity this year. I watch friends and family, as well as the hoards of strangers, rush around to feed the commercial frenzy that has become synonomous with "celebrating the holidays". I wonder how many of them will go home and call some unsuspecting loved one and take it out on them? How many of them will argue with their spouse over how much was charged to the credit card? How many of them will get into fender benders racing to grab the next available parking space, even though it is a mile away from the entrance and the parking lot looks more like an ice rink? How many of them will exacerbate health problems, like high blood pressure, trying to live up to some image created by corporate marketing strategists that guilt people into debt to show how much they "care"?
Having had a Massage Therapy practice for several years, I can attest to how damaging stress is to the body. Stress can lead to insomnia, neck and back pain, muscle pain, mood swings, high blood pressure, digestive discomforts, tension headaches, premature aging, and impaired immune function. With all of the rushing around, pushing through crowded stores, road rage, winter weather conditions, and added financial burden, I find it incredible that, as a culture, we willingly subject ourselves to this stress-fest each and every year.
This stress doesn't just end after the holiday parties do. For the next two months, we scramble to pay those large credit card bills. January and February were always my slowest months of the year. The majority of clients that I would see were those redeeming gift certificates, while many of my regular clients would fade away to pay off some of those holiday bills.
Better doesn't mean always mean bigger, more expensive, or more elaborate. A major part of "living better" for our household is cultivating peace of mind. This Yuletide season, I'll have that peace of mind as I sit with my husband, proudly donning his new handknit cabled fisherman's sweater, sipping homemade hot chocolate with real whipped cream, in our candlelit living room, watching our toddler devour his holiday cookies, and knowing that we are but one, small, monthly payment away from eliminating all credit card debt.
No matter how "cheap" others may feel we are being this holiday season, we feel rather rich, and especially relaxed. Now that seems like something worth celebrating to me.
Live better, a little every day.
I just can't relate to all the holiday insanity this year. I watch friends and family, as well as the hoards of strangers, rush around to feed the commercial frenzy that has become synonomous with "celebrating the holidays". I wonder how many of them will go home and call some unsuspecting loved one and take it out on them? How many of them will argue with their spouse over how much was charged to the credit card? How many of them will get into fender benders racing to grab the next available parking space, even though it is a mile away from the entrance and the parking lot looks more like an ice rink? How many of them will exacerbate health problems, like high blood pressure, trying to live up to some image created by corporate marketing strategists that guilt people into debt to show how much they "care"?
Having had a Massage Therapy practice for several years, I can attest to how damaging stress is to the body. Stress can lead to insomnia, neck and back pain, muscle pain, mood swings, high blood pressure, digestive discomforts, tension headaches, premature aging, and impaired immune function. With all of the rushing around, pushing through crowded stores, road rage, winter weather conditions, and added financial burden, I find it incredible that, as a culture, we willingly subject ourselves to this stress-fest each and every year.
This stress doesn't just end after the holiday parties do. For the next two months, we scramble to pay those large credit card bills. January and February were always my slowest months of the year. The majority of clients that I would see were those redeeming gift certificates, while many of my regular clients would fade away to pay off some of those holiday bills.
Better doesn't mean always mean bigger, more expensive, or more elaborate. A major part of "living better" for our household is cultivating peace of mind. This Yuletide season, I'll have that peace of mind as I sit with my husband, proudly donning his new handknit cabled fisherman's sweater, sipping homemade hot chocolate with real whipped cream, in our candlelit living room, watching our toddler devour his holiday cookies, and knowing that we are but one, small, monthly payment away from eliminating all credit card debt.
No matter how "cheap" others may feel we are being this holiday season, we feel rather rich, and especially relaxed. Now that seems like something worth celebrating to me.
Live better, a little every day.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Three Budget Friendly Recipies
One of the best foods to stock up on is the bean. Any bean- kidney, chick peas, black, cannellini, pinto, whatever your pleasure. Beans are cheap, easy to store, and have tons of fiber and protein. Plus, they are easy to grow. All this makes them a great addition to your pantry. Here are three great, cheap, tasty, bean-based recipes.
Note: Using canned beans is convenient, and relatively inexpensive. However, there is a lot of unnecessary sodium in commercially prepared canned beans. Dry beans are even cheaper and are easy to prepare, but they do require some time. Dry beans need to be soaked overnight before using.
Black Bean Soup (serves 4)
White Bean and Carrot Soup
*To add another level of flavor, try roasting the garlic first. Roast the entire garlic bulb and use the extra garlic in other recipes, flavor bread, etc. Preheat the oven to 400*. Leaving the garlic in its paper, cut the top off the bulb, and brush the top of the bulb with olive oil. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, or until soft. Squeeze out the garlic cloves. They will be soft, sweet, and take the soup to a whole new level.
Refried Beans
Next blog entry: Extra Income Ideas
Live better, a little every day
Black Bean Soup (serves 4)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
- 2 Tablespoons fresh ginger root, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 bag (appox 15 oz) of black beans, previously soaked overnight
- 6 cups of water
- 3 large sweet potatoes, pealed and cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup yogurt (I use Stoneyfield Farms full fat, cream on top, french vanilla) or sour cream with each serving (optional)
- fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
White Bean and Carrot Soup
- 6 garlic cloves, minced*
- 1 Tablesoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3-4 scallions/green onions chopped
- 1 quart broth (veggie or chicken)
- 2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut into 2-3 inch sections
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried sage
- 2 bags (approx 30 ounces) cannellini beans (or any white bean), soaked overnight
- Salt and pepper to taste
*To add another level of flavor, try roasting the garlic first. Roast the entire garlic bulb and use the extra garlic in other recipes, flavor bread, etc. Preheat the oven to 400*. Leaving the garlic in its paper, cut the top off the bulb, and brush the top of the bulb with olive oil. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, or until soft. Squeeze out the garlic cloves. They will be soft, sweet, and take the soup to a whole new level.
Refried Beans
- 1 bag (appox. 15 oz) pinto beans, soaked overnight
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped finely
- 5-6 garlic cloves (you could use the left-over roasted cloves from the above recipe)
- 2 teaspons cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Next blog entry: Extra Income Ideas
Live better, a little every day
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Herbal Remedies to Fight the Cold and Flu
Here are my favorite herbal and aromatherapy-based remedies for the cold and flu.
Aromatherapy
Lavender essential oil is is my #1 favorite remedy. It has the most uses of almost any essential oil. Lavender essential oil has natural antiviral and antibiotic properties. It is an effective decongestant when inhaled, alieviates body aches when added to a bath, warm compress, or body oil or lotion and applied to the body. I have put a few drops on cotton balls and placed the cotton ball in my ears (like ear buds) to cope with ear ache pain. Many warm mist vaporizers have a way to medications or aromatherapy oils to the steam.
You can add some lavender oil and water to a spray bottle and use the mist to naturally disinfect your home. Natural cleaning is essential to stop the spread of germs, and lavender does a great job of disinfecting. By disinfecting commonly-touched areas, like door knobs, telephones, countertops, etc., you help prevent the spread of disease. Bonus- lavender smells great.
Please note, these healing properties are attributed only to the actual plant-based essential oil. Synthetic fragrance oils have none of the chemical compounds of the real thing, and are worthless for aromatherapy. NEVER ingest essential oils.
Herbal Tea
Any member of the mint family (peppermint, spearmint, etc.) will help thin mucus. Add some lemon for some extra Vitamin C. You can add mullein to help with chest congestion, anise for sinus congestion, and Slippery Elm for a sore throat.
However, here is what I drink when I feel a cold or flu coming on:
It is recommended to begin drinking this tea at the onset of symptoms for greatest relief. Of course, if you have an allergy to any ingredient, leave it out.
(Technically, this is called a decoction, not a tea, because it uses roots and barks which must be added to cool water and brought to a boil A tea uses leaf or flower parts of the plant and are added to hot, but not boiling water.)
Herbal Tinctures (Extracts)
Tinctures offer concentrated herbal properties in a standardized dosage. Some of the tinctures reputed to help fight the flu include elderberry and golden seal. Reports on echinacea are conflicting. There are many studies (as well as lengthy, historical usage) to suggest that echinacea is effective if begun at the onset of symptoms. There are, however, many studies that show echinacea to be ineffective on the flu.
Where to Buy Herbal and Aromatherapy Supplies
I have had good experiences ordering from the following companies:
Live better, a little every day.
Aromatherapy
Lavender essential oil is is my #1 favorite remedy. It has the most uses of almost any essential oil. Lavender essential oil has natural antiviral and antibiotic properties. It is an effective decongestant when inhaled, alieviates body aches when added to a bath, warm compress, or body oil or lotion and applied to the body. I have put a few drops on cotton balls and placed the cotton ball in my ears (like ear buds) to cope with ear ache pain. Many warm mist vaporizers have a way to medications or aromatherapy oils to the steam.
You can add some lavender oil and water to a spray bottle and use the mist to naturally disinfect your home. Natural cleaning is essential to stop the spread of germs, and lavender does a great job of disinfecting. By disinfecting commonly-touched areas, like door knobs, telephones, countertops, etc., you help prevent the spread of disease. Bonus- lavender smells great.
Please note, these healing properties are attributed only to the actual plant-based essential oil. Synthetic fragrance oils have none of the chemical compounds of the real thing, and are worthless for aromatherapy. NEVER ingest essential oils.
Herbal Tea
Any member of the mint family (peppermint, spearmint, etc.) will help thin mucus. Add some lemon for some extra Vitamin C. You can add mullein to help with chest congestion, anise for sinus congestion, and Slippery Elm for a sore throat.
However, here is what I drink when I feel a cold or flu coming on:
- Ginger root, a piece about the size of your thumb, peeled (aches and fever relief)
- Garlic cloves, at least three, peeled and cut in half (boost immune function)
- 9 whole cloves- the kind you stick in a ham (pain relief)
- 3-4 cinamon sticks, broken (sore throat relief)
- 1 Tablespoon of thyme (antibiotic)
- 5 cups of water, cool
- Honey to taste (enzymes, anti-bacterial, anti-viral properties)
It is recommended to begin drinking this tea at the onset of symptoms for greatest relief. Of course, if you have an allergy to any ingredient, leave it out.
(Technically, this is called a decoction, not a tea, because it uses roots and barks which must be added to cool water and brought to a boil A tea uses leaf or flower parts of the plant and are added to hot, but not boiling water.)
Herbal Tinctures (Extracts)
Tinctures offer concentrated herbal properties in a standardized dosage. Some of the tinctures reputed to help fight the flu include elderberry and golden seal. Reports on echinacea are conflicting. There are many studies (as well as lengthy, historical usage) to suggest that echinacea is effective if begun at the onset of symptoms. There are, however, many studies that show echinacea to be ineffective on the flu.
Where to Buy Herbal and Aromatherapy Supplies
I have had good experiences ordering from the following companies:
- Mountain Rose Herbs They carry bulk herbs, essential oils, and more.
- Herb Pharm They specialize in standardized herbal tinctures (extracts)
Live better, a little every day.
How To Fight The Flu At Home
Many Americans are out of work due to the economic crisis and cannot afford the COBRA payments to keep their insurance. This means a lot of folks will not be able to afford to go to the doctor for minor health issues and will be looking for less expensive ways to cope with matters like the cold of flu.
About six years ago, I found a much better paying job. Due to some administrative issue regarding cut off dates, however, it meant I would be without health coverage for almost a year. I was young, relatively healthy, and took the gamble that nothing serious would happen to me that would require serious medical attention. Thankfully, nothing did. However, it forced me to be resourceful and learn alternate ways of coping with the symptoms of minor health issues, especially the cold and flu.
Flu symptoms for either seasonal or swine flu are the same and include: fever, body aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffed nose, and possibly intestinal issues. In both types of flu, symptoms can range from mild to severe, and in some cases also be fatal. Those most at risk are those with compromised immune systems, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health complications. However, the percentage of individuals who suffer serious and/or life threatening influenza infections are overwhelminging low. See my earlier blog entry, Should I Be Worried About Swine Flu, for the statistics on both seasonal and swine flu.
Here is an overview of home remedies for the flu.
Steam Inhalation
Take a hot shower
Use a warm mist humidifier
Fill sink or bath with steaming water
Herbs and Aromatherapy (do not use any ingredient you may be allergic to)
Add an herb or essential oil to steam inhalation
Apply a product like Vick's Vaporub, which contains eucalyptus oil and menthol
Stay Hydrated
Drink additional water
Warm drinks, like herbal teas, are comforting
Saline Nasal Sprays
Helps to thin mucus and keep nasal passages moist and comfortable
Food
Garlic
Chicken Soup
Spicy foods, like wasabi and chili peppers
Compresses
Cold- may help bring down a fever
Hot- may help relieve sinus pressure (be careful not to use too hot of a compress)
These remedies should provide some comfort while your immune system fights off the flu. Of course, if you experience any serious flu symptoms, you should seek professional medical attention.
Next blog entry: Herbal Remedies to Fight Cold and Flu (recipe included)
Live better, a little every day.
About six years ago, I found a much better paying job. Due to some administrative issue regarding cut off dates, however, it meant I would be without health coverage for almost a year. I was young, relatively healthy, and took the gamble that nothing serious would happen to me that would require serious medical attention. Thankfully, nothing did. However, it forced me to be resourceful and learn alternate ways of coping with the symptoms of minor health issues, especially the cold and flu.
Flu symptoms for either seasonal or swine flu are the same and include: fever, body aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffed nose, and possibly intestinal issues. In both types of flu, symptoms can range from mild to severe, and in some cases also be fatal. Those most at risk are those with compromised immune systems, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health complications. However, the percentage of individuals who suffer serious and/or life threatening influenza infections are overwhelminging low. See my earlier blog entry, Should I Be Worried About Swine Flu, for the statistics on both seasonal and swine flu.
Here is an overview of home remedies for the flu.
Steam Inhalation
Take a hot shower
Use a warm mist humidifier
Fill sink or bath with steaming water
Herbs and Aromatherapy (do not use any ingredient you may be allergic to)
Add an herb or essential oil to steam inhalation
Apply a product like Vick's Vaporub, which contains eucalyptus oil and menthol
Stay Hydrated
Drink additional water
Warm drinks, like herbal teas, are comforting
Saline Nasal Sprays
Helps to thin mucus and keep nasal passages moist and comfortable
Food
Garlic
Chicken Soup
Spicy foods, like wasabi and chili peppers
Compresses
Cold- may help bring down a fever
Hot- may help relieve sinus pressure (be careful not to use too hot of a compress)
These remedies should provide some comfort while your immune system fights off the flu. Of course, if you experience any serious flu symptoms, you should seek professional medical attention.
Next blog entry: Herbal Remedies to Fight Cold and Flu (recipe included)
Live better, a little every day.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Should I Be Worried About Swine Flu?
The H1N1 virus, also known as "Swine Flu", has a lot of folks concerned this flu season. Heated controversy exists over how dangerous the H1N1 virus is, the media attention it is receiving, and what treatment is safe and appropriate.
Flu Facts
According to the Center for Disease Control, seasonal influenza virus (the "flu") infects between 5-20% of the American population each year. This results in approximately 200,000 hospitalizations related to the flu, and approximately 36,000 flu related deaths each year.
To put those figures in perspective, I'll use the 5% infection rate and the CDC's figures for recognized hospitalizations and deaths to provide the most grim results for the average flu season. Using a US Census report from 2008 listing the US population at 304,059,724, five percent would be 15,202,986 people who contract the flu. This would mean that the 200,000 people who require hospitalization for the flu represents only 1.32% of the total infected cases. The total number of deaths from the flu then represents only 0.24%, less than a quarter of a percent of the total number of infections.
Of course, using the higher percentages in the 5-20% range would make the final figures for hospitalization and fatalities much less. The actual numbers are probably even less than that, considering many people never bother to contact a doctor when they come down with the flu.
Enter swine flu onto the flu season stage. The swine flu does not infect humans every year. It is an additional strain of influenza that occasionally mutates and becomes infectious to people. Depending on the news source, some claim it is more deadly than the regular flu, while others vehemently assert just the opposite is true. A quick google for "death rates of swine flu" produced figures varying from 10% to a mere 1 in 10,000. However, there seems to be a link between death from verified H1N1 cases and secondary infections or other existing health problems. In other words, the vast majority of people who have died from confirmed swine flu also had something else wrong with them.
Is H1N1 something to be concerned about?
There doesn't seem to be a clear answer. It has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, but pandemic does not automatically equal "deadly pandemic." Interestingly, doctors' offices and hospitals are no longer even testing for H1N1 unless the patient requests one and is administered at the patient's expense. This is why I made it a point to notate "confirmed" cases in the above section. Patients are still tested to determine if a flu strain is either an "Influenza A" or Influenza B". Both the regular flu and H1N1 are type A. But, routine testing ends there.
Mainstream media networks have latched on to each incident of suspected swine flu cases. It makes for dramatic, "stay-tuned" broadcasting. They have no way to verify if such cases were the seasonal or swine flu, and spend a great deal of time promoting the swine flu vaccine.
This lack of thorough testing, when compared to the media hype over swine flu danger, sends a mixed message. One would assume that obtaining a proper diagnosis would be the first step in determining the proper treatment and associated risk. If the health risk presented by H1N1 is as great as the media and government agencies claim, then wouldn't it be imperative that health care providers also collect proper data on H1N1 infection rates?
A hastily prepared vaccine has been rushed to the market, and special priveleges granted to protect drug companies from any litigation stemming from injury from the vaccine. Many people are concerned over drastic measures to encourage taking the vaccine when there is still so much debate over how serious, or not, the H1N1 virus actually is. Some states are trying to make the vaccine mandatory for certain groups, such as health care workers in New York, threatening, "take the vaccine or lose your job." Other states, Like Massachusetts, are considering sweeping legislation (MA Senate Bill 2028) that would permit government agents to enter a person's home without a warrant, accompanied by armed police, seize personal property and real property, as long as the health agent claims it is necessary to prevent disease. While the bill does not "technically" make vaccinations madatory, those who do not receive it are subject to isolation or quarantine and a $1000 per day fine.
Back in the 1970's, there had been another outbreak of swine flu. A vaccine was also cranked out in record time that the government highly recommended everyone receive. Many people had a severe reaction to the vaccine, Guillaine-Barre syndrome. This condition paralyzes the body, including the lungs. While some have recovered, many others have been left permanently paralized, and unfortunately, some died. The new vaccine is made similarly to the one from the 1970's.
I am not a doctor, but from the research I have done, I will not get either the seasonal or swine flu shot. I do not think that there has been enough research on either vaccine to prove it is safe, and I do not wish to expose my unborn child to the heavy metals used as preservatives in the vaccines. If MA Senate Bill 2028 passes, we will leave the state until the declared emergency is over rather than have an untested medication forced on us. I would prefer to limit my risk of catching either flu, and handling any symptoms at home naturally.
Next Blog Entry: How To Fight The Flu At Home
Live better, a little every day.
Flu Facts
According to the Center for Disease Control, seasonal influenza virus (the "flu") infects between 5-20% of the American population each year. This results in approximately 200,000 hospitalizations related to the flu, and approximately 36,000 flu related deaths each year.
To put those figures in perspective, I'll use the 5% infection rate and the CDC's figures for recognized hospitalizations and deaths to provide the most grim results for the average flu season. Using a US Census report from 2008 listing the US population at 304,059,724, five percent would be 15,202,986 people who contract the flu. This would mean that the 200,000 people who require hospitalization for the flu represents only 1.32% of the total infected cases. The total number of deaths from the flu then represents only 0.24%, less than a quarter of a percent of the total number of infections.
Of course, using the higher percentages in the 5-20% range would make the final figures for hospitalization and fatalities much less. The actual numbers are probably even less than that, considering many people never bother to contact a doctor when they come down with the flu.
Enter swine flu onto the flu season stage. The swine flu does not infect humans every year. It is an additional strain of influenza that occasionally mutates and becomes infectious to people. Depending on the news source, some claim it is more deadly than the regular flu, while others vehemently assert just the opposite is true. A quick google for "death rates of swine flu" produced figures varying from 10% to a mere 1 in 10,000. However, there seems to be a link between death from verified H1N1 cases and secondary infections or other existing health problems. In other words, the vast majority of people who have died from confirmed swine flu also had something else wrong with them.
Is H1N1 something to be concerned about?
There doesn't seem to be a clear answer. It has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, but pandemic does not automatically equal "deadly pandemic." Interestingly, doctors' offices and hospitals are no longer even testing for H1N1 unless the patient requests one and is administered at the patient's expense. This is why I made it a point to notate "confirmed" cases in the above section. Patients are still tested to determine if a flu strain is either an "Influenza A" or Influenza B". Both the regular flu and H1N1 are type A. But, routine testing ends there.
Mainstream media networks have latched on to each incident of suspected swine flu cases. It makes for dramatic, "stay-tuned" broadcasting. They have no way to verify if such cases were the seasonal or swine flu, and spend a great deal of time promoting the swine flu vaccine.
This lack of thorough testing, when compared to the media hype over swine flu danger, sends a mixed message. One would assume that obtaining a proper diagnosis would be the first step in determining the proper treatment and associated risk. If the health risk presented by H1N1 is as great as the media and government agencies claim, then wouldn't it be imperative that health care providers also collect proper data on H1N1 infection rates?
A hastily prepared vaccine has been rushed to the market, and special priveleges granted to protect drug companies from any litigation stemming from injury from the vaccine. Many people are concerned over drastic measures to encourage taking the vaccine when there is still so much debate over how serious, or not, the H1N1 virus actually is. Some states are trying to make the vaccine mandatory for certain groups, such as health care workers in New York, threatening, "take the vaccine or lose your job." Other states, Like Massachusetts, are considering sweeping legislation (MA Senate Bill 2028) that would permit government agents to enter a person's home without a warrant, accompanied by armed police, seize personal property and real property, as long as the health agent claims it is necessary to prevent disease. While the bill does not "technically" make vaccinations madatory, those who do not receive it are subject to isolation or quarantine and a $1000 per day fine.
Back in the 1970's, there had been another outbreak of swine flu. A vaccine was also cranked out in record time that the government highly recommended everyone receive. Many people had a severe reaction to the vaccine, Guillaine-Barre syndrome. This condition paralyzes the body, including the lungs. While some have recovered, many others have been left permanently paralized, and unfortunately, some died. The new vaccine is made similarly to the one from the 1970's.
I am not a doctor, but from the research I have done, I will not get either the seasonal or swine flu shot. I do not think that there has been enough research on either vaccine to prove it is safe, and I do not wish to expose my unborn child to the heavy metals used as preservatives in the vaccines. If MA Senate Bill 2028 passes, we will leave the state until the declared emergency is over rather than have an untested medication forced on us. I would prefer to limit my risk of catching either flu, and handling any symptoms at home naturally.
Next Blog Entry: How To Fight The Flu At Home
Live better, a little every day.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Make Your Own First Aid Kit
To take a break from blog posts about the garden, I thought this would be a good time to address a simple preparedness tool- the first aid kit.
As stated in the blog description, "We also recognize that in an emergency, it is better to be prepared than to rely on an outside source for rescue." While any serious health condition should be checked out by a physician, many minor issues can be handled at home. First aid kits should be part of your basic supplies. It is a good idea to keep one at home and one in each of your vehicles.
Most ready-made first aid kits are filled with cheap, limited supplies. You're best bet is to make your own kit. You can find all manner of plastic bins that will work well to hold your first aid supplies. I like to have a mix of allopathic, herbal, and homeopathic supplies. You have to know what to use when, but they make for a comprehensive kit.
Here is a list of useful items to keep in a first aid kit.
As stated in the blog description, "We also recognize that in an emergency, it is better to be prepared than to rely on an outside source for rescue." While any serious health condition should be checked out by a physician, many minor issues can be handled at home. First aid kits should be part of your basic supplies. It is a good idea to keep one at home and one in each of your vehicles.
Most ready-made first aid kits are filled with cheap, limited supplies. You're best bet is to make your own kit. You can find all manner of plastic bins that will work well to hold your first aid supplies. I like to have a mix of allopathic, herbal, and homeopathic supplies. You have to know what to use when, but they make for a comprehensive kit.
Here is a list of useful items to keep in a first aid kit.
- Variety of bandages and band-aids
- Sterile gauze pads
- Cloth tape
- Snips (to cut the tape)
- Hand sanitizer
- Metal tweezers
- Triple-antibiotic ointment
- Hydrocortizone cream
- Calamine lotion
- Alcohol/Antiseptic wipes
- Cotton balls
- Non-latex gloves
- Thermometer
- Breathing/CPR barrier
- Blood pressure cuff & replacement batteries
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Guiafenesin
- Instant cold compresses
- Ace bandages
- Aloe vera gel
- Lavender essential oil
- Goldenseal Tincture
- Elderberry Tincture
- Arnica gel
- Crystallized ginger
- Kaopectate
- Witch hazel
- Variety of homeopathic tablet remedies
Of course, there are many other things that could be added to a first aid kit. If you have the means to purchase a defibrillator, that would make an incredible addition to your kit. If you have children, then you should add children's formulas of common medications. You could also include any pet medications as well. If you feel the need and have the necessary knowledge, you could also stock up on antibiotics. These can be obtained affordably and without prescription from feed stores.
If you don't have a first aid kit, consider putting one together. While you might not need to use it often, when you do need to use it, you'll be glad that you spent the time building a well-stocked kit.
If you have additional suggestions for items to go into a first aid kit, let's hear them! Post a comment!
Live better, a little every day.
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