Epigenetics or in my term Energenetics

I recently became aware of a video on-line of Jeffrey Bland discussing genetics and their role in our health. I have long believed that energies, foods and lifestyle affect gene expression and now research is coming out verifying this. The food we eat, how it was grown or made and our attitudes all affect our health. We are not pre-disposed to disease, it is a function of the messages our genes get. You can change your life! Take a look at this short video, a talk given by Jeffrey Bland, to learn more.

10 Things You CAN Recycle!

Health is dependent upon our environment in addition to what we put into our bodies. In an attempt to help keep the environment clean I recycle as much as I can and am always looking for new things that they accept. I recently got something in the mail that caught my attention with regard to recycling and I wanted to pass it on to you. Here is the list, compliments of Green America.

Appliances - many stores will take your old appliance when you purchase a new one. Goodwill accepts working appliances or contact the Steel Recycling Institute if you have a non-functioning appliance.

Athletic Shoes - One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America and Haiti. Nike reuses old shoes to make playground and athletic flooring.

Batteries - Contact Battery Recycling.

Clothes - Take wearable clothes to Goodwill, Salvation Army or any other re-sale shop or shelter. Take wearable women's business clothing to the nonprofit Dress for Success.

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs - Ikea accepts CFLs for recycle. Sylvania will provide a RecyclePak.

Computers and Electronics - Click here to find the most responsible recyclers.

Foam Packing Peanuts - Many pack-and-ship stores accept peanuts. You may also call Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site, 800-828-2214. Contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers to find a drop off place for foam blocks, 410-451-8340.

Ink & Toner Cartridges - www.recycleplace.com

Oil - Find information for the used motor oil hot lines at their website. This is state dependent.

Phones - Collective Good refurbishes your phone and sells it to someone in a developing country. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims.

Help keep our world a better place by utilizing as many of these resources as possible so that we can all have a healthier life.

Aspartame - Food or Poison?

My friend and a local hypnotherapist, Susan Bishop, brought this question that was posted in the SF Chronicle to my attention today. The topic is Aspartame, an artificial sweetener used in many diet sodas, Nutrasweet and Equal. To see the original post click here.

Q: I heard someplace that aspartame, an ingredient in NutraSweet, is good for controlling ants. Is this true? P.B., San Francisco

---

Images

View Larger Image

---

A: Aspartame is an artificial sweetener found in NutraSweet, Equal and some diet drinks. It is a very powerful ant and mouse killer. Carpenter ants and mice will eat powdered aspartame, but small ants like it mixed with apple juice and honey. You can also pour it on an ant mound and slightly dampen it with water. Aspartame is also good for attracting yellow jackets to a trap if you mix it in a fruit juice.

This product is controversial as the FDA refused to approve it for human consumption in the 1970s because of studies linking it to brain tumors, neurological disorders and death in laboratory animals. However, it was eventually determined to be safe in humans. Because it is an effective insecticide and rodenticide, I cannot see any justification for human consumption. Pesticides are considered safe by some government agencies, but they are not safe. Neither is aspartame, in my opinion.

We have known that Aspartame is linked to many cancers and health issues but I was unaware of its use as a pesticide. I commend Richard Fagerlund, the author of this column, in pointing out that aspartame is not safe, in any capacity.

The next time you want to drink a diet soda consider the above and think twice. Go for the water instead.

Psoriasis drug off the market - What are your options?!?

The beginning of this month there was a press release from the FDA taking Genentech's psoriasis drug, Raptiva, off the market. Here is the start of the press release:

"Today, Genentech, the manufacturer of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab), announced that it has begun a voluntary, phased withdrawal of the product from the U.S. market. The company is taking this action because of a potential risk to patients of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare, serious, progressive neurologic disease caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system. By June 8, 2009, Raptiva will no longer be available in the United States."

To read the rest of this release click here.

Because this drug was taken off of the market many people may be looking for alternative treatments for psoriasis. Chinese medicine, acupuncture and naturopathic medicine all offer excellent alternatives to taking drugs that pose harmful risks.

When our primary routes of elimination (digestive tract, kidneys, lungs) are overburdened with both external and internal wastes the secondary routes of elimination (skin and mucous membranes) are enlisted. This is when we start seeing things such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. This is also an indication that the body is out of balance and needs some help to restore the balance. When working with my clients we start with the basics: diet, sleep, exercise and fluid intake. In addition we focus on decreasing inflammation in the body. After we put these foundations in place we typically add homeopathy, acupuncture and/ or Chinese formulas. Skin disorders can be challenging but by using natural medthods, such as those mentioned above, great improvement can be seen over time. Remember, there is no magic bullet but there are excellent options to support your body.

Sunflower Pate

I recently had an open house at my clinic. When I have an event I like to make foods that are good yet healthy for you. For the open house I decided to make sunflower pate. I got this recipe from my great friend Lolly who went to Bauman College in Santa Cruz. This was one of their recipes. It is a great hors d'oeuvre for vegetarians and non-vegs alike. It has a unique and delicious flavor. Here is the recipe...

Sunflower Pate

1/4 cup warm water

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 onion -- peeled and chopped

2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce

1/2 potato -- peeled and diced

1/4 cup rice flour

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1 clove garlic

3/4 teaspoon dried herbs of your choice (sage, basil, oregano, marjoram) (or one tablespoon fresh herbs)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Process all ingredients in a food processor until very smooth. Pour mixture into two greased 6 x 3 inch fruitcake loaf pans.

Bake until set, about one hour. Cook thoroughly.

This is delicious on rice crackers.