A Love Affair with Spring Water

How far would you go for your water?

Every day we are faced with challenges and decisions that either lead us down the road of improved health or leave us stagnant, simply tolerating the polluted environment that surrounds us. Some people think it’s crazy to drive 45 miles just to gather fresh spring water, but not me.  I live in Orange County, CA where obtaining fresh, natural spring water is not as easy as turning on the tap.

In 1974 the Congress passed The Safe Water Drinking Act, which sets the national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants.  Pesticides, human waste, and household chemicals all pose a threat to our drinking water. The public has reason to be concerned. Between 2004 and 2009, water suppliers across the U.S. detected 315 contaminants in water supplied to the public. Nearly two-thirds of the 315 chemicals found in the nation’s drinking water over the last five years — a total of 201 — are unregulated. Public health officials have not set safety standards for them, even though millions ingest them in their tap water every day. Among the most common are some that have been linked to serious health concerns.

The list of detected contaminants includes:

  • 97 agricultural pollutants, including pesticides and chemicals from fertilizer- and manure-laden runoff
  • 204 industrial chemicals from factory discharges and consumer products
  • 86 contaminants linked to sprawl and urban areas or from polluted runoff and wastewater treatment plants
  • 42 pollutants that are byproducts of the water treatment processes or that leach from pipes and storage tanks

Reports from the Environmental Working Group (EWG)

Tap water disinfection is crucial for controlling waterborne disease, but the chemicals used can form harmful, DNA-damaging or cancer-causing byproducts in the treated water. The EWG’s analysis of tap water revealed 42 pollutants as residues of water treatment, storage and distribution, chemical byproducts of water disinfection, in water supplied to 237 million people in 45 states.  Amazingly, 24 of these disinfection byproducts are unregulated, with no enforceable health-based limits for drinking water.

Nationally, two groups of disinfection byproducts — trihalomethanes (chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane) and haloacetic acids — top the list of the most commonly detected tap water contaminants. Disinfection byproducts are associated with damage to DNA and elevated risk of cancer (Richardson 2007; EPA 2005d; EPA 2007f).

The fifth frequently detected water pollutant is nitrate. Excess nitrate (and/or the related chemical nitrite) in water used to make infant formula can cause “blue baby syndrome,” a potentially fatal condition in which an infant’s blood is less able to carry oxygen (Knobeloch 2000; Manassaram 2006; National Research Council 1995). The greatest use of nitrates is as a fertilizer in agriculture (USGS 1999; EPA 2009b)

Drink up America!

Why spring water?

I often ask myself, “What would David Wolfe do?”  For those of you who know him I need no explanation, but to put it simply; “What would you do to assure you are getting the best water possible?”

Spring water is water that naturally flows on the surface and can be collected in a spring. Spring water does not contain any bacteria and chemicals that why it’s very tasty in comparison with tap water. There is something to be said about getting your water from the most natural source possible.  Spring water is living water that contains the mana of the Earth as well as essential information gathered and downloaded from all the natural forces acting upon it.  Doctors report that people who drink spring water feel more cheerful and energetic, therefore they are more successful.

Scientifically speaking, spring water is much more effective at hydrating your cells than purified, distilled, or RO water, which are actually dehydrating due to the lack of mineralization.  Minerals from the Earth are essential in making water alive and absorbable.  Spring water is also naturally alkaline (pH around 8.5) allowing your body the charge it needs to maintain health and hydration.  On the contrary, tap and bottled water by law have to measure in at a neutral pH around 7.0.  When tap water is processed minerals are stripped out and disinfectants like chlorine are added, making it naturally acidic.  To meet the legal pH standard lye must then be added to make it chemically neutral.

Why is water so important?

Water serves as our best detoxifier from environmental and internal toxins.  It is essential to all chemical reactions in our body.  Water is clearly the most important nutrient and the most abundant substance in the human body comprising about three quarters of the human mass and is a major component in every cell.  Being just 2% dehydrated can seriously degrade physical and mental functions.

Why not upgrade your health significantly by gathering your own spring water?  It is a lot of fun and very rewarding.  And remember, use glass containers to store your water when ever possible.

You can find a local spring in your area by looking at www.findaspring.com.

 

Dr. Wendy Norman, D.C.

www.bodyelectrictoday.com

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Be the BLING!

The only way to save the environment is to save the environmentalist.” ~ Unknown

Today is a typical morning in Southern California… the sun is shining, birds are chirping, and my dogs lay resting on the bed after our regular morning walk in the park.  While hustling around the house and preparing for my day at the office, I often find myself intently listening to internet talks from some of my favorite health gurus.  Their authentic and energetic sermons are just what I need to prepare for a successful day.  These brief morning moments are rather important and a key to having a focused mind to create my intentions for the tasks set before me.

Today was a lesson from my favorite raw food guru, David Avocado Wolf, who reminded me of how important it is to take the time to care of myself before helping others.  I though I would share what was discussed.

In our lives we are so concerned with giving our energy away.  Caring for others becomes the priority over caring for ourselves and we wonder why we are not living the life we were meant to live. We devalue ourselves daily by giving away our mental vitality, physical health, and emotional stability to other people and situations.  We grow up believing that sacrificing ourselves for others is the most noble way to show you care.  In fact, we are often taught to feel guilty for putting ourselves first as if we are less valuable than others, but how can you possibly help someone else if you can’t help yourself?

Remember the advice you receive on an airplane… “Put on your air mask before helping the child next to you.”  Why would we not apply this tip to our daily lives?

Discovering that you can really create a change in your life and be a positive force in the world takes courage.  The courage to look inward is possibly the most important, yet most feared action for improving our lives.  However, realizing that YOU ARE VALUABLE suddenly turns the focus to inside ourselves which allows us to gain strength and vitality needed to create a positive shift in the entire world.

The more energy you build within you allows for more energy you can give to others.  You be come efficient in your service and clear on your purpose.  One of the most critical ways you can gain positive energy is by paying attention to what goes into your mouth.  YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!  Did you know that by eating certain foods you can actually raise your vibrational level and emit more positive energy?  Taking care of ourselves meaning we need to feed our body high quality superfoods, like goji berries and raw cacao, and take time to rest our mental and emotional bodies.  Yoga has gained popularity for this exact reason.  People are seeking a break from the rat race and it’s working!

You deserve to BE THE BLING, not just wear it around on your body.  Give yourself permission to heal and radiate that vibrant light within.  Give yourself the best care so you can have the energy and mental strength to create the life of your dreams.  Upgrading your health is like upgrading the operating system on your computer.  Don’t be left behind by forgetting to get the new version of YOU.

Click You Tube Video

Dr. Wendy Norman

www.bodyelectrictoday.com

 

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Kelp for Dogs


Marley and Me

Dogs are amazing animals from which we can learn how to tap into our intuition.  On my morning walk today with my dogs, Taj ran over to a patch of grass and started chomping.  He regularly does this and my usual response is to drag him away with the fear of him ingesting all the poisons typically sprayed on the local grass.  Today I had a new revelation.  I remember that grasses contain a high amount of minerals, chlorophyll, and other nutrients.  Similarly to why we take wheat grass shots, I realized that my dog must be craving something particular.  I considered the possibility that my dog might be lacking minerals and that I should find some alternative source for him to eat.  As things would have it, I just received a shipment of powdered kelp, intending to use it for my own healthy super smoothies.  It dawned on me that I could give kelp powder to my dogs for an added vitamin and mineral boost, not to mention the anti-radiation properties this has on all of us.

I found out more online at http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com…

“Kelp is the most nutritious of all sea vegetables. It is rich in minerals and trace elements and has a nourishing and tonic effect on all of the body’s systems.  Kelp contains over 60 minerals and trace elements, 21 amino acids, simple and complex carbohydrates and several essential plant growth hormones.In particular, kelp is a rich natural source of iodine, making it an excellent supplement to support and maintain a strong glandular system, especially for the pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands (RADIATION PROTECTION). With properly functioning glands, optimal metabolism is easier to achieve.  For many years, the Japanese and the Chinese have been eating kelp and other seaweeds and it is said that one contributing factor to the longevity of Japanese people is the frequent consumption of kelp and other seaweeds.  In view of its rich nutrients, recently many holistic vets are also promoting the beneficial effects of kelp for dogs.”


Taj – Photo by Todd Puchalski

Kelp for Dogs – Health Benefits

Kelp supplies a natural source of minerals to a dog’s body and minerals are essential in every aspect of a dog’s health. In particular, it has been found that supplementing a dog’s diet with kelp can bring about the following health benefits:

Balancing Glandular Activities – Just as in humans, the iodine content and high levels of other nutrient minerals and vitamins in kelp make it an essential herb for regulating and balancing glandular systems (hormones). In particular, dogs suffering from hypothyroidism can benefit from the iodine in kelp. One of the functions of iodine is the stimulation of the thyroid gland.

Healthy Skin and Coat – Dogs with skin irritation problems as a result of allergies, dogs with dry skin, or dogs who are suffering from alopecia (hair loss) can benefit from kelp. In a study, dogs who had been fed kelp daily for a period of six months had darker, thicker, and shinier coats. They also scratched less and their skin was not as dry.  The protein in kelp is highly bio-available, which allows dogs to efficiently assimilate its amino acids so they can speedily and effectively assist in tissue repair.

Flea Control – In the same study, it was found that kelp for dogs could help control fleas. Dogs were found to be less attractive to fleas and flies after three weeks of supplementation.

Weight Control – Dogs can have better maintenance of body weight thanks also to the iodine in the kelp. Iodine stimulates the thyroid gland that controls the dog’s metabolism. With better metabolism, dogs with weight problems can reduce their cholesterol levels and lose weight.

Better General Health - With better metabolism as a result of improved glandular activities, dogs given kelp supplements can enjoy better general health. This may be particularly important for older dogs whose metabolism may be poor and glandular and immune functions may be compromised.


Photo by Todd Puchalski

Kelp for Dogs – Safety

Not all seaweeds are the same. Avoid getting kelp or other seaweeds harvested along U.S. shorelines, especially the Pacific Coast, because such seaweeds might be contaminated by industrial pollution and radiation.  Norwegian or Scandinavian kelp is considered to be of the highest quality due to the environment in which the kelp grows. The Norwegian coast is where fresh arctic ocean water meets mineral-rich glacial freshwater run-off, which combine to create the optimal conditions for kelp to thrive.

The easiest way to supplement kelp is to get a natural kelp product in powdered form and follow the feeding and dosage instructions on the product label.

http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com…

Dr. Wendy Norman

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Radiation Protection

In light of our current crisis in Japan, I have agreed to post my information from Wellness Wednesday discussing how to protect yourself from ionizing isotopes (radiation).

Radiation occurs when unstable molecules release energy that penetrates our skin and internal organs. There are many different types of radiation including sunrays, x-rays, cosmic rays, CT scans, nuclear radiation.  Each of these affect your cells energetically to create a release of FREE RADICALS.

Iodine – 131 is rapidly absorbed by the thyroid, and leaves only as it decays radioactively, with a half-life of eight days.  It is known to accumulate in the thyroid gland, where it can cause cancer and other thyroid diseases.

Cesium – 137 is absorbed by muscles, where its half-life of 30 years means that it remains until it is excreted by the body. It takes between 10 and 100 days to excrete half of what has been consumed.  Cesium – 137 accumulates in the body and soft tissues, where it increases risk of cancer, according to EPA.

Plutonium – 238, 239, 240 is one of the most dangerous chemicals to the planet.  It is highly carcinogenic in small doses and very difficult to detect.  With a half-life ranging from 88 years for isotope 238, 24,100 years for isotope 239, and 6,500 years for isotope 240, plutonium radiation is extremely damaging.  Once ingested into the body the particles bounce around like ping pong balls gaining momentum with every hit on an organ.  It is one of the most carcinogenic chemicals on the planet.

According to TEPCO plutonium has been found in several soil sites around the Fukushima power plant.  Link…

A danger to our seas?

As of April 10th 2011 TEPCO announced that 50,000 gallons of highly radioactive water is being flushed into the Pacific Ocean each and every day.  “Increased radioactivity in the marine environment occurred by aerial deposition and by discharges and outflow of contaminated water with a high radioactivity level.” (International Atomic Energy Agency – May 3rd 2011).  Link...

I still hear reports that there is nothing to worry about, but where do you think all this radioactive material goes?  Just because it’s invisible doesn’t mean we are safe.

What about our food?

There have already been foods tested around the world found to have radioactive contamination.  A few to note include:

  • Raw Milk
  • Milk products
  • Vegetables – spinach
  • Fruits
  • Fish

Milk tested April 4th in Hilo, Hawaii measured in at 18 pCi/l for radioactive iodine, a level six times the EPA maximum safety threshold of 3.0pCi/I and 19 pCi/l for Cesium-137, which has a half-life of 30.  Why do we test raw milk?  When cows’ milk starts testing positive for high levels of radioactive elements radioactive contamination of the entire food supply has occurred. 

April 7, 2011 CRIIRAD, a French research body on radioactivity, announced, “the risks associated with iodine-131 contamination in Europe are no longer “negligible.”

They advise pregnant women and infants against “risky behavior,” such as consuming fresh milk or vegetables with large leaves.

What can you do?

Luckily, there are foods that can help rid the toxic elements of radiation from your body.

Spirulina – shown to improve damaged immune system in response to radiation (Chernobyl) because it is high in GLA (Gamma-Linoleic Acid)

Chlorella/Chlorophyl – detoxifies the body of heavy metals and radioactive material.  Studied in Japan after Hiroshima in 1945.

If you can’t tolerate then use spirulina, blue-green algae, or phytoplankton

Kelp – iodine rich food to protect the thyroid gland.  Absorbs and eliminates radioactive elements and heavy metal contaminants from our bodiesCalcium Bentonite Clay is a negatively charged ion that pulls positively charged radioactive material from the body.  It adsorbs any kind of radiation and is recommended as part of a healthy diet.

Others

  • Rosemary
  • Reishi mushroom
  • Shiitake mushroom
  • Aloe Vera
  • Black walnuts
  • Bananas
  • Hempseeds
  • Coconut oil
  • Goji Berry
  • Acai
  • Zeolite

The best defense begins with diet and supplements. When you eat radioactive food, the threat to your health increases exponentially. That’s because internal radiation is far more deadly to your body than external radiation.  So, you have to eat good foods that will assist in detoxifying the radioactive foods.

Dr. Wendy Norman, D.C.

References

  1. David Wolfe – Superfoods
  2. NaturalNews.com
  3. NavitasNaturals.com

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Reflections of a Healer – Part 1

Africa is a spiritually powerful place to be, yet amazingly simple. The struggles for food and water are very real. The lack of basic medical care is overwhelming and the absence of support and necessary resources can be defeating if you let it be. Zimbabwe has an extensive history as this once thriving community is now devastated by greed and political corruption. Inevitably, we have seen the worst economic meltdown in our present day history. Zimbabwean money is now a thing of the past as 100 trillion dollar notes hold less value than a loaf of bread. As a result, the US dollar was adopted as local currency in 2009.

I began working in Zimbabwe in the fall of 2008 with no experience in bush medicine or with working in another country. I am a chiropractor and holistic healer by trade and work in the urban area of Orange County, California. Most of my patients suffer from the effects of a Westernized society, media driven and chemically toxic. Dietary hype, genetically modified foods, and excessively high levels of stress detach us from the essence of human life. This is a world of excess and access to everything imaginable, a world where want becomes a greater force than need. Scientifically based medicine is mainstream and highly acceptable route for curing ailments, yet we still suffer as one of the unhealthiest countries on the planet. Reflecting on the work we have done in Africa, I am able to document the rebirth of hope and illustrate a comparison between seeming unrelated cultures.

An innate spiritual strength that ties each of us together unfolds and I see how affected we are by one another.  As my story continues down this unexpected path, a new light and a new hope for our future will be found. Times are changing and we are about to embark on a powerful journey. In 2008 I walked into a very dismal time in Zimbabwe history. People were starving, the unemployment rate was nearing 90%, and the Zimbabwe dollar value dropped so drastically that we witnessed the worst inflation rate in the history of the world. The visions of people truly suffering are burned into my mind as a humbling reminder. Africa is not totally unique from other developing countries in their hardships. Any world traveler will tell you hundreds of similar stories, but the lessons we learn from these hardships are life changing.

Lesson 1: WATER IS LIFE

I will never forget my first patient in 2008, an embodiment of the effects of dehydration. Lying on the floor of a village home was a man in his mid 20’s clearly hours away from death. I had no idea what to expect walking into my first clinic day, but this was about as bad as it gets. I immediately realized that there was no one to call on, no one to come to the rescue, and no one who knew the first thing to do with a person this sick. Thoughts of desperation surfaced as I wondered, “Am I actually capable of helping this man?”At this moment it was as if two worlds collided, a pinnacle in time where one realizes that greater forces are at work. If we just have the courage to step out of the way, miracles can happen. Several months prior to my arrival in Zimbabwe, I began studying the ways of medical humanitarian work. In many cases, I realized that few organizations seemed to be utilizing natural medicines as their main method of treatment. Most organization use Westernized ideas and focus very little on nutrition and vitamin supplementation. I am disappointed to find our Westernized stigma on alternative medicine snuffs out traditional methods even in the most remote areas. Our beliefs grow like a cancer, feed by a greed for money and success. It came as no surprise that I would likely have to invent a new wheel for alternative medical missionary work.

I hoped to find someone with fresh ideas, someone to with a road map that I could refer too. I quickly realized that chiropractors and alternative health workers are not on any list of qualified medical personnel able to apply for current medical missionary programs. We are hardly even recognized in here in the US as credentialed and able practitioners despite the intense training regarding health and disease offered in chiropractic school. It seems that I belong to a select group of healers that believe the body is an extraordinary being, capable of healing without the use of drugs or man-made chemicals. However, there is little money in natural health and big business won’t settle for that.

As I continued my search and began looking at large scale triage care and military methods for treating soldiers, knowing that they often have to overcome the most challenging conditions with little resources, I found this simple information that changed my life forever. Many healthcare workers, nurses and doctors around the world treat people with a simple re-hydration mixture of salt, sugar, and water in specific ratios. As I briefed myself of what I may encounter in Zimbabwe, I came across the instructions of the Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and immediately knew this was important. People living in poverty lack two basic tools for survival and growth, education and resources. The issue of dehydration is a clear example. Dying from dehydration is a cruel and agonizing death and extremely preventable. Fact: Diarrhea directly kills 1.8 million children in developing countries each year, and contributes to the death of up to 15 million people. (UNICEF) On this day, our patient lived. A family has a father and leader because of a simple, yet profound pearl of knowledge. The proof that we really are given the tools we need at just the right moment couldn’t have been clearer. My first day healing in Africa ended with a miracle, the bar is now set. Initiation by fire and my work in the field officially begins…

Dr. Wendy Norman, D.C.

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Save the Brain & Save the Food! UPDATED

These days we are bombarded with the fast paced world of electronics and the “quicker is better” mentality.  Our dependency on items such as cell phones and microwaves has not only changed the way we function each day, but has also begun to change the way we think.  EMF radiation, or Electro Magnetic Frequency, is a measure of radiation emitted from devices such as cell phones, hairdryers, microwaves and other small electronics.   It’s hard to say weather this increase in radiation is ACTUALLY harmful, but one has to wonder of the effects.  It has been theorized that since the advent of cell phones, the incidence of brain cancer has increased.  The American Cancer Society states, “The best established environmental risk factor for brain tumors is radiation exposure, most commonly from some type of radiation therapy,” however, no conclusive data has been collected.

Breaking News 5/31/11

CNN health news and the World Health Organization have officially stated that there is a potential carcinogenic effect when using cell phones.  The type of radiation we get from cell phones is similar to that

Cell phones heat up the brain with radiation

of a microwave oven, which essentially destroys tissue within 1 inch.  Every second you are chatting on the cell phone, you are cooking your brain.  A team of 31 scientists agree that CELL PHONES CAN (and likely will) CAUSE CANCER!  The problem is that we won’t see the effects for 10 years or more, by then it will be too late for those avid cell phone users.  This becomes a question of whether the benefit of technology is actually worth the risk.

If cell phones can potentially cause brain cancer, what might happen to our food if microwaved?  High levels of radiation can be effective for quickly heating food, but what people don’t know is that this same radiation process actually damages the cells of the food leaving them less than nutritious.  Microwave ovens were developed by the Nazis for use in their mobile support operations and later transferred to the United States War Department for scientific investigation. The Soviet Union also obtained several of these microwave ovens and has since been outlawed based on the health and environmental hazards.

So what happens to food when we cook food in a microwave oven?

An article published by the Atlantis Rising Educational Center in Portland, Oregon states these findings based on the use of a microwave oven:

  • Microwaving prepared meats sufficiently to insure sanitary ingestion caused formation of d-Nitrosodiethanolamines, a well-known carcinogen.
  • Microwaving milk and cereal grains converted certain of their amino acids into carcinogens.
  • Thawing frozen fruits converted their glucoside- and galactyoside-containing fractions into carcinogenic substances.
  • Extremely short exposure of raw, cooked or frozen vegetables converted their plant alkaloids into carcinogens.
  • Carcinogenic free radicals were formed in microwaved plants, especially root vegetables.


     

Microwaves have been around for many years and deliver us a fast and easy way to heat or cook food.  But are the dangers worth convenience?  If we really go off the theory that nature knows best, I don’t see where microwaves have a place.  Eating food should be about providing nutrients to our body, not for the purpose of convenience.  Besides, how many actually put plastic Tupperware filled with last night’s leftovers into the microwave for lunch?  Plastic, especially when heated, leaches carcinogens and toxins right into your food!  Yuck.  This fact also goes for plastic baby bottles, so moms don’t forget that what you feed your child may be laced with toxic cancer causing chemicals.

Try using glass Tupperware or bottles instead and, when needed, re-heat your food on the stove.  If convenience is your problem… opt for food that requires no heating, like raw organic fruits and veggies or even a sandwich.  As for the cell phones, don’t wear them on your body and NEVER use a blue tooth.  Multi-polar magnets can be worn to help unscramble your energy as we are exposed to environmental EMF radiation.  They are cheep and can be warn in your pocket.

We get enough radiation as it is so do things now to save your food and save your brain from carnage.

Dr. Wendy Norman, D.C.

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Maca -The Andes Aphrodisiac

 

Maca is a member of the cruciferous family of plant that includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips and radishes.  It grows in the high Andes Mountains of Peru making it the highest altitude crop on Earth.  Maca is considered a superfood that has been harvested for centuries.  Incan warriors even took maca before battle to make them stronger and increase stamina.  It acts as an “adaptogenic” food, giving you energy with out blasting your nervous system with caffeine or chemical stimulants.

Maca has a reputation of being a powerful libido-enhancing superfood.  According to research, maca increases oxygen in the blood and neurotransmitter production to support the endocrine system, the adrenals, and the thyroid gland.   It serves as a great source of hormone precursors giving it a reputation as a natural aphrodisiac.  Women with menstrual irregularities have benefited greatly from maca as well as women suffering from hot flashes and mood swings associated with perimenopause and menopause.  Men also benefit as it restores them to a healthy, functional status in which they experience a more active libido.

Maca is a warming food that can be consumed for long periods of time.  It is usually purchased as dried, raw, organic powder.  You can use it in smoothies, teas, coffee, or any type of natural beverage.  Many people combine it with raw cacao as the two work extremely well together.  If you are new to maca, start by using 1 tsp at a time to notice the effects in mental clarity and energy.  You can find many maca containing products in the health food stores, but if you want to get the full physiological effect, I recommend adding measured doses of pure maca powder to your diet daily.

Dr. Wendy Norman, D.C.

References:

http://www.naturalnews.com/maca.html

http://www.davidwolf.com

 

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Hugging Trees

No Impact – consuming less paper

Have you hugged a tree today?

We are all in the mist of a shift in consumerism where saving the environment is increasingly more urgent.  Now, I’m no expert on sustainability, but I am aware enough to realize the damage our culture creates on the plant is unnecessary and extreme. Have you ever really examined the amount of trash produced from one household in a week, not to mention the amount of paper we use daily?  We would be foolish to think that we are doing the right thing and don’t have to change our ways of consumption.

Think about this, when you throw something away where does it go?  As a kid, I was convinced that once I threw something away it was gone forever.  It seemed that there was some place where all trash was destroyed and our planet was clean again.  What we don’t realize is that trash ends up in landfills both on and off land with 36% of our garbage in landfills in the form of paper products.  Some people even claim that it’s environmentally friendly to consume as long as we recycle, but I beg to differ.  Recycling is a wonderful way to reuse some of our trash, but it is not a complete solution to sustain life on our planet. Paper making is one of the leading causes for environmental pollution no matter if we use recycled material or not.

The pulp manufacturing process is the major source of environmental concern for this industry. For example, a bleached kraft pulp mill requires 4,000-12,000 gallons of water and 14-20 million Btu of energy per ton of pulp, of which roughly 8-10 million Btu typically are derived from biomass- derived fuel from the pulping process (Pulp and Paper, 2001). Across all facilities in SIC 26, the pulp, paper, and allied products industry is the largest consumer of process water and the third largest consumer of energy (behind the chemicals and metals industries) (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2000 and U.S. Department of Energy, 2000). The high use of water and energy, as well as the chemical inputs described in Section III, lead to a variety of environmental concerns.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Why is it so important to recycle?  By recycling paper and other materials that would otherwise end up in landfills we can prevent methane gas emissions from being release into our air. We also help to preserve the natural resources we all rely on for survival on our planet. The Earth was once covered by 60% forest and now only 30%.  Now, I won’t claim that all deforestation is damaging nor can I say that growth and development is what has lead us into our current crisis, but what I can say, is that we need to re-establish BALANCE.

 

While recycling is a good step in conscious consumerism, we must not forget the impact of simply consuming less.  Pay attention to how much paper you come in contact with each day and see where you can make a change.

Dr. Wendy Norman, D.C.


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My Toxic World

Sometimes I wish I never learned so much about the temple of the Body or strive to understand why environmental toxins are so hazardous to our health.  It seems that every time I learn something new, I find myself more angry and irritated with the feeling that I can’t do anything about such a devastating situation.  I don’t know about you, but I am sickened.  As I cruse the isles of our local supermarket I find it more difficult to buy anything in a package or processed.  I can’t even look at milk products without seeing images of blood and pus in my cheese.  It is becoming more difficult to tolerate and I fear the difficult road of enlightenment.  A veil has been lifted and I see fake for fake.  The color of change is upon us.

I see fake food, fake drinks, fake people, fake clothes…even fake water.  Nothing seems to resemble nature at all.  From my food to cleaning supplies, I live in a toxic world.  Is this a bad dream of plastic monsters and artificially flavored devil treats that burn my eyes with their false sense of fulfillment?   The carelessness of big corporations is getting to me and very few seem to truly understand.  Pharmaceutical companies relentlessly try to convince us that we are sick all while offering a candied path happiness through chemicals poisons.  We can’t escape it and these facts echo at a defining pitch.

The United States ranks 37th in Health Care, yet we spend more money  to be healthy than anyone else on the planet.  On average, 45% of Americans are on at least 1 prescription medication daily as of 2006 and and in 2004 1.6 million American teens and children were prescribed at least 2 psychiatric drugs in combination, 300,000 being under the age of 10.  I can’t help to ask myself where we went wrong.  Are we brainwashed or just misinformed?

I urge you to help make a change in this battle for our lives.  We need a mass movement and we need it now.  Join me in helping revolutionize our planet by encouraging others pay attention and learn about health.  How long are we going to tolerating this mass poisoning???  Are we really going to be LAB RATS?

GO ORGANIC!  This means with your food as well as with your clothes, cleaning supplies, dog food, etc…  Each day you have a choice to make a difference.  Get off those drugs and get into nature.  TAKE TIME OUT FOR YOU!  There are plenty of doctors out there that can help you make the shift in your health and I encourage you to stop the insanity of the “pill”.  The shift is coming, so don’t miss the boat.

Dr. Wendy Norman, D.C.

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They Might Be Giants

Have you ever wondered why so many more Americans suffer with debilitating illness such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid dysfunction, etc…? Aren’t we on the leading edge of scientific research and the most able to buy anything our heart desires, just as we want it? So, why are SO many Americans suffering? 

The answers are vast and scary, really, but we must try to understand this BIG PICTURE because our planet is becoming very sick. Companies like Monsanto, Coca Cola, and Exxon Mobil are taking over or resources and using our need for basic necessities as capital gain and profitability. Stores like Wal-Mart are wiping out the nature of small business and the “Land of Opportunity” is coming at a very heavy price. The United States alone lays claim on more global giants than any country in the world. We are arguably the most influential culture regarding commercialism and capitalism as we dominate the global marketplace. Shouldn’t we have everything we need to be healthy?

You may be surprised that answers to our failing health may lie within the nature of our food…

Despite all the advancements and technological break thorough we have experienced, Americans are slowly starving. Our food and land is becoming contaminated, our water is filled with chemicals, and our ability to care for ourselves properly is stolen away by the GIANTS. Farmers are being sued for patent breaches on seeds, chickens are going insane inside commercial chicken coops, and cows are being fed indigestible corn products and growth hormones, which ultimately end up in our bodies. Our waters are saturated with pharmaceuticals and chemicals from agricultural runoff, insects are becoming extinct because of genetically modified food, and our children’s children run the risk becoming infertile because of genetic alterations occurring in our bodies as we ingest these common poisons.

My question is, why are we letting this happen to humanity?

Some think we are simply brainwashed into believing our food, although toxic and modified, is actually healthy for us. Another reason, toxic food is cheep and toxic food is quick. Americans believe that convenience is the key to success and the only way we can do everything we are “supposed” to do, we must have it in 30 minutes or less. Giant companies have jumped on this market and provided us with everything we need tightly packaged in non-biodegradable material and laced with chemical preservatives. TV dinners alone can cause cancer through the release of dioxins from the plastic containers through the microwaving (AKA radiating) process. Dioxins have been linked to birth defects, cancers, diabetes, … you name it, and yet we still find isles of frozen TV dinners in every supermarket in America. Why? Because we buy it and we fear change.

So, what can you do?

1. Stop buying processed foods and stick to fresh, organic, grass-fed, free range, and non-GMO items. Support local organic farmers and push out those GIANTS by pure demand.

2. Become educated. Ignorance is not bliss and the more you know, the more you can teach your friends and loved ones.

3. Help each other out. If you have a great idea then share it. Doing things together has proven to be the most effective way to create change.

If you would like to find out more information on these topics, visit Body Electric Today and sign up for my newsletter.  You will receive up to date information and an invitation to our Wellness Wednesdays where learning becomes interactive.

Dr. Wendy Norman, D.C.

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