Sustainable Farming Advocacy l National Yoga Month l Pesticides Linked to ADHD
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Photographer Brock Elbank, ‘Fast Women, Expensive Taste’ for Curves Magazine
Chipotle Goes To Sustainable, Organic Food Sources
Is it true - a fast food chain with a commitment to sustainable and organic food sources? At Chipotle’s 1,100 U.S. locations casual, fast Mexican fare is served with organic, family farmed, local ingredients as much as is possible for a large food chain and they are working hard to source more of their ingredients from pesticide, hormone and anti-biotic free farmers.
Chipotle’s relationship building with smaller, friendlier food sources began in 1999 and was challenged at the time by an insufficient supplier base. Now, animals raised in deeply-bedded or free-range environments account for 100% naturally raised pork and chicken, 85% natural beef -with a goal of 100%- and working toward the same 100% goal for their dairy cattle according to the Chipotle website. In 2009, Steve Ells, Chipotle founder (1993) and CEO, testified before Congress in defense of eliminating anti-biotics in ranching.
Chipotle’s self-imposed standards has raised the bars for other fast food chains (perhaps inspiring McDonald’s use of cage-free eggs) and continues to strive to maintain and improve on their own statistical competence. They also have been using 0 trans fat fry oil since 2004, well ahead of the rest of the pack.
A newly created non-profit organization, The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, aims to increase the amount of sustainable farming practices in the U.S. and is dedicated to bringing food awareness not only among ranchers and farmers but passing along through education of younger generations.
Enjoy the video as Willie Nelson sings Coldplay’s “The Scientist” while a small family farmer’s realization and regret of industrialization prompts a return to his simpler, gentler farming ways.
Organic consumers have hope - we still have people in high places that are fighting the good food fight! Lisa
National Yoga Month l Free Yoga Classes
National Yoga Month is a designated national observance by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to promote awareness of proven health benefits and provide resources for people to increase and maintain well-being through yoga practice.
Hundreds of free yoga classes and events are being offered nationwide to educate, inspire, and introduce yoga as a way to increase one’s overall health.
Over 1600 studios across the country are offering one-week free yoga classes (new students only)
Find yoga and yoga month events near you but hurry, the month is half past!
Anyone, at any age, in any body can practice yoga to gain numerous health benefits, such as:
- Lowered blood pressure
- Decreased stress
- Greater flexibility (not just physically)
- Enhanced brain function
- Lower cholesterol
- Better skeletal alignment
- Improved respiration
- Weight loss
- Enhanced circulation
- Easier transition through menopause
- Deeper peace of mind
- Mental focus
- Mind body integration
- Deeper spirituality
- And much more…
Yoga isn’t just a physical exercise program. It is a scientific system designed to generate greater clarity and harmony in your life. Through regular practice you will likely notice you are stronger, slimmer, and more flexible. But you will also find that you are more patient, mentally sharper, more relaxed and better able to handle stressful situations.
Many health/fitness programs are difficult to maintain because they are rooted in an overall negative attitude – that you are inadequate and need to ‘fix’ yourself. No wonder we want to quit! Negativity is a lousy motivator. Yoga, on the other hand, meets you exactly where you are and does not judge. By practicing yoga you have the opportunity to gain greater health, flexibility and strength through powerful positive means. Thus allowing you to get healthy by honoring yourself, not forcing yourself. http://www.yogamonth.org/
Pesticides In Food Linked To ADHD In Children
MSNBC reports on a study of 1,140 children from around the country who have been exposed to pesticides through food, water and other environment factors are found twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. The levels of pesticides are measured in urine samples.
“It’s mainly exposure through food. Diet is the driver,” says pediatrician and public health expert Phil Landrigan, MD, professor and chair of the department of community and preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. “For most people, diet is the predominant source. It’s been shown that people who switch to an organic diet knock down the levels of pesticide by-products in their urine by 85 to 90 percent.”
Pesticides include ingredients that are designed to attack neurological systems in pests and they are harmful to humans as well responsible as a contributing factor for childhood leukemia and colony collapse of honeybees.
This is not the first study of the effects of pesticides, but it is the first to measure in children the breakdown products of pesticides commonly used on food supplies, to control mosquito population and other day by day exposures.
The study recommends that women trying to conceive switch to organic food 6 months before conception and throughout pregnancy as well as for parents to buy organic for their children.
Aromatherapy’s Linalool Reduces Stress in Lab Rats 12/22/2010
Specifically, scientists studied linalool, found in over 200 species of plants including mints, scented herbs, laurels, cinnamon, rosewood, and citrus fruits.
The Japanese researchers determined that in lab rats, inhaling linalool reduced the activity of more than 100 genes that go into overdrive in stressful situations. In the future, incorporating stress-reducing ingredients into fragrances will become a commercial priority. via Science Daily
