If it has ingredients, don't eat it, has been my philosophy. By which I mean, if there is more in there than the thing itself, leave it alone.

In addition, we nutritionists have warned over and over again that additives have their individual dangers: nitrates, MSG, high sodium, and on down the list.

Perhaps now the World Cancer Research Fund has come out and said it in so many words,   the day of doom has come for processed meats.

WCRF UK’s Recommendations for Cancer Prevention

When I first came across this phrase, I thought it was a joke:  after all, only in the States could such a pseudo-scientific phrase be invented to describe the fact that kids don't spend enough time outdoors! 

Certainly I don't mean to imply that it is not a problem:  even in my small rural town, far too many children spend far too much time exercising their thumbs instead of their minds and bodies.

This article recognizes and defines the problem, but more interesting perhaps, it discusses the fact that now the condition (!) has a name, developers will be coming up with solutions. The cynic in me says that their motives may not be altogether pure, if this "diagnosis" catches on, they will after all be the first ones with the appropriate selling point ... but even so, what could be better than more ways to get more kids outdoors?

Fortunately in this case, the solution to the disorder involves neither a vaccine nor a pill!

Leave no child inside

In recent years, I believe Doctors and Dentists have become more accepting of the fact that some people genuinely DO feel pain at higher levels than others.  Not so in the past!  I recall only too clearly the impatience of various health professionals who were not willing to consider the fact that I needed almost 3 times the usual level of anesthetic to be rendered  painless. Even so, I was partly conscious during one operation - not a pleasant sensation, i can assure you!

So for me it is doubly interesting to come across this recent research from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, which shows definite changes in the brain of people who have migraines - as I did for many years - changes which result in a greater sensistivity to pain, and to noise (count me in on that one, too) . 

Brain Differences Found In People With Migraine

The situation brings new meaning to the term "guinea pig".  All these chemicals which were received with such fanfare, and promoted as making our lives easier, may actually be putting the health of future generations at risk.

"Most Americans haven't heard of body burden testing, but it's a hot  topic among environmentalists and public health experts who warn that  the industrial chemicals we come into contact with every day are  accumulating in our bodies and endangering our health in ways we have  yet to understand. "

Regular detoxing doesn't seem like such a bad idea after reading an article like the one below!

Tests reveal high chemical levels in kids' bodies

The Vitamin Lady writes about Detoxing the Body - Health through Cleansing

Selection of products for Cleansing and Detoxification.

"What we’re talking about is a single pill that you can take every day that would ward off most diseases," says David Sinclair, Ph.D., a pathologist at Harvard Medical School and co-founder of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals.

What new mighty drug is this? What strange chemical rising on our horizon?  What magnificent new discovery?

Ta dah!  Resveratrol.  But not as we know it, no - a PATENTABLE form of the extra-condensed synthetic molecule, which as we know is where the money is.  And also, all too often, the side effects ... the developers point out that it would take 1,000 glasses of red wine to equal the resveratrol found in just one pill. ...  let's wait and see what the hangover is like.

Develop wisdom, health and age together:  drink red wine or take Resveratrol, the plant.

Eliminating Disease

More about Resveratrol

Organic Consumers Association sends me a lot of interesting information - you might care to subscribe to their newsletter yourself, here:

OCA newsletter

This remark brought home to me the fact that Government just doesn't get it, and despises those who do!

Collin Peterson, chairman of the House of Representatives agricultural committee, says the farm sector that raises organic produce and grass-fed beef for local consumers needs little federal help. "It is growing, and it has nothing to do with the government, and that is good," he told the FT. "For whatever reason, people are willing to pay two or three times as much for something that says 'organic' or 'local'. Far be it from me to understand what that's about, but that's reality. And if people are dumb enough to pay that much then hallelujah."

To send a message to Collin Peterson (Democrat, MN) congratulating him for getting the Organic Consumers Association award for the dumbest quote of the week: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_8104.cfm

When you follow the link, you may have to scroll down to find the form to write your letter.  Following is what I wrote:

Dear Mr. Peterson,

disrespecting the opinions of those who elect them seems to be endemic among politicians these days.

If instead you take the time to find out WHY we will pay these higher prices, you will find that we compelling reasons to do with health, local economies, agribusiness and government. 

These reasons may not convince YOU to change your mind, but they define US as rational and intelligent, rather than subscribers to the herd mentality you may be more comfortable with.

Lynn Hinderliter CN, LDN