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The danger of GMO’s

The question of whether or not genetically modified foods (GMO’s) are safe for human consumption is an ongoing debate that does not seem to see any resolution except in the arena of public opinion. Due to lack of labeling, Americans are still left at a loss as to whether or not what is on the table is genetically modified. This lack of information makes the avoiding and tracking of GM foods an exercise in futility. Below are just some of the food products popularly identified to be genetically modified:

1.Corn- Corn has been modified to create its own insecticide. The U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA)has declared that tons of genetically modified corn has been introduced for human consumption. Monsanto has revealed that half of the US’s sweet corn farms are planted with genetically modified seed. Mice fed with GM corn were discovered to have smaller offspring and fertility problems.

2.Soy- Soy has also been genetically modified to resist herbicides. Soy products include soy flour, tofu, soy beverages, soybean oil and other products that may include pastries, baked products and edible oil. Hamsters fed with GM soy were unable to have offspring and suffered a high mortality rate.

3.Cotton- Like corn and soy, cotton has been designed to resist pesticides. It is considered food because its oil can be consumed. Its introduction in Chinese agriculture has produced a chemical that kills cotton bollworm, reducing the incidences of pests not only in cotton crops but also in neighboring fields of soybeans and corn. Incidentally, thousands of Indian farmers suffered severe rashes upon exposure to BT cotton.

4.Papaya- The virus-resistant variety of papaya was commercially introduced in Hawaii in 1999. Transgenic papayas comprised three-fourths of the total Hawaiian papaya crop. Monsanto bestowed uponTamil Nadu Agricultural Universityin Coimbatore technology for developing papaya resistant to the ringspot virus in India.

5.Rice- This staple food from South East Asia has now been genetically modified to contain a high amount of vitamin A. Allegedly, there are reports of rice varieties containing human genes to be grown in the US. The rice will create human proteins useful for dealing with infant diarrhea in the 3rd world.China Daily, an online journal, reported potential serious public health and environment problems with genetically modified rice considering its tendency to cause allergic reactions with the concurrent possibility of gene transfers.

6.Tomatoes- Tomatoes have now been genetically engineered for longer shelf life, preventing them from easily rotting and degrading. In a test conducted to determine the safety of GM tomatoes, some animal subjects died within a few weeks after consuming GM tomatoes.

7.Rapeseed- In Canada, this crop was renamedcanolato differentiate it from non-edible rapeseed. Food stuff produced from rapeseed includes rapeseed oi (canola oil) l used to process cooking oil and margarine. Honey can also be produced from GM rapeseed. German food surveillance authorities discovered as much as a third of the total pollen present in Canadian honey may be from GM pollen. In fact, some honey products from Canada were also discovered to have pollen from GM rapeseed.

8.Dairy products- It has been discovered that 22 percent of cows in the U.S. were injected with recombinant (genetically modified) bovine growth hormone (rbGH). This Monsanto created hormone artificially forces cows to increase their milk production by 15 percent. Milk from cows treated with this milk inducing hormone contains increased levels of IGF-1 (insulin growth factors-1). Humans also have IGF-1 in their system. Scientists have expressed concerns that increased levels of IGF-1 in humans have been associated with colon and breast cancer.

9.Potatoes- Mice fed with potatoes engineered with Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki Cry 1 were found to have toxins in their system. Despite claims to the contrary, this shows that Cry1 toxin was stable in the mouse gut. When the health risks were revealed, it sparked a debate.

10.Peas- Peas that have been genetically modified have been found to cause immune responses in mice and possibly even in humans. A gene from kidney beans was inserted into the peas creating a protein that functions as a pesticide.

The GMO link to strange disease

As early as 2008, NaturalNews.com reported about a condition called Morgellon’s disease. The article went on to report the symptoms of the disease as follows: crawling, stinging, biting and crawling sensations; threads or black speck-like materials on or beneath the skin; granules, lesions. Some patients report fatigue, short term memory loss, mental confusion, joint pain and changes in vision. Furthermore, there have been reports of substantial morbidity and social dysfunction leading to a dip in work productivity, job loss, total disability, divorce, loss of child custody and home abandonment.

Prior to its reporting, the condition was dismissed as a hoax, but upon further investigation, the evidence pointed out that the disease was real and may be related to genetically modified food.

Despite this link being established, the CDC declared Morgellon’s disease of unknown origin. Worse, the medical community could not offer any information to the public regarding a cause for the symptoms.

When a research study was conducted on fiber samples taken from Morgellons patients, it was discovered that the fiber samples of all the patients looked remarkable similar. And yet, it did not seem to match any common environmental fiber. When the fiber was broken down, and it’s DNA extracted, it was discovered to belong to a fungus. Even more surprising was the finding that the fibers contained Agrobacterium, a genus gram-negative bacteria with the capacity of transforming plant, animal and even human cells.

Morgellon’s disease is not the only condition associated with genetically modified foods. A growing body of evidence has shown that it may cause allergies, immune reactions, liver problems, sterility and even death. Moreover, based on the only human feeding experiment conducted on genetically modified food, it was established that genetic material in genetically modified food product can transfer into the DNA of intestinal bacteria and still continue to thrive.

Heeding the warning

Time and again, theAmerican Academy of Environmental Medicine(AAEM) has warned that GMOs pose a serious threat to health, and it is no accident that there can be a correlation between it and adverse health effects. In fact, the AAEM has advised doctors to tell their patients to avoid GMOs as the introduction of GMOs into the current food supply has correlated with an alarming rise in chronic diseases and food allergies.

This should come as no surprise. More than 30 years ago a food supplement called L-trytophan killed 100 people and affected 5,000 to 10,000 more. The cause was narrowed down to the genetic engineering process used in its production. If the symptoms had not had three simultaneous characteristics – namely, they were unique, acute and fast-acting – the disease could never have been identified.

If science could assure us with certainty that serious consequences do not wait for us at the end of the line, it might be to our best interest to let this opportunity pass. Progressive thinking in terms of profit is certainly not wrong. But to brush off precaution on the convenient argument that there is not enough evidence to prove that GM food is indeed harmful is sheer irresponsibility. It certainly is a lame excuse to offer in the event that GM foods are indeed proven to contain health hazards.

Sources for this article:

http://www.naturalnews.com/035734_GMOs_foods_dangers.html
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11361.cfm
http://www.naturalnews.com/027226_food_GMO_foods.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/023004.html
http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/rbgh/
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/04/content_9430645.htm
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/pusztai.html
http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/database/food/238.honey.html

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/035734_GMOs_foods_dangers.html#ixzz1ti1OxNGM

source: http://thinkingmomsrevolution.com/2012/04/27/unavoidably-unsafe-2/

                                                                                                   Click image for larger view

If you have your own recipe that you use and love and want to share it, just comment and I will put it up.

The first one I have been using for years and has always worked.

DRAIN CLEANER

• 1/2 Cup of Baking Soda
•  1/2 Cup of White Vinegar      
•  Small Pot of boiling water ( about 6 cups)

Pour the baking soda down the drain and then pour the vinegar, it will foam up.  Let it sit for about 5 minutes and then pour the boiling water down the drain and turn the disposal on.  It should flush out any buildup in the drain

GERM RIDDEN SURFACES (Kitchen counters, toilet seats, door knobs, etc..)

• 2 Cups of Water    
• 2 Tbsp of liquid soap  
•  15 drops of Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree oil has antiseptic and anti bacterial properties that is great for germ fighting. (This is another oil that has many uses.) Spray this mixture on the surface and let sit for a minute and then wipe down

DISHWASHING DETERGENT (powder)

• 1 Cup of Borax      
•  1 Cup of Super Washing Soda or 2 cups of Baking Soda
  
•  1/2 Cup Citric Acid
• 1/2 Cup of Salt

Put all the ingredients in a large wide-mouth glass jar with a tight lid, screw on the lid and shake until everything is well combined.  Store with the lid on and don’t worry if the powder gets lumpy.  It will still work.  Use a heaping tablespoon per load (1 1/2 tablespoons if you used baking soda) and keep your rinse aid dispenser filled with white vinegar.  If your glassware is cloudy after using your homemade detergent, make sure the water in your dishwasher is very hot ( you can run the sink faucet until the water is very hot just before you run the dishwasher) and try increasing the amount of citric acid in the recipe until the problem disappears.

Source: http://www.rodale.com/homemade-dish-detergent?page+0.1

CUTTING BOARD DISINFECTANT

Use a scrub brush to clean with soap and water.  Then sprinkle with baking soda, then spray the board with white vinegar.  It will foam up, let sit for about 5 minutes and rinse with cold water.

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

• 3 Cups of water
• 1 1/2 Cups of White Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp of Dish Soap
•   5 drops of Tea Tree Oil

Combine in a spray bottle and shake before using.

FABRIC SOFTENER 

Vinegar can completely replace store bought fabric softener.  I have been using it for years and its better for your skin compared to the store bought brands (especially better for people with eczema)

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE WASH

We know that plain old water doesn’t cut it for cleaning the dirt and sprays off fruit and vegetables.  Buying the fruit wash they sell at the dote can become costly.  To effectively clean your fruit and vegetable  just combine

• 2 Cups Of Water      
• 1 Cup of Vinegar    

 4 Drops of  GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT ( you can get this through Amazon or a vitamin shop) There are many uses and benefits for grapefruit seed extract so it’s a good thing to keep around.  CLICK FOR USES AND BENEFITS

Combine everything in a bowl and let the fruit or vegetable soak for about 5 minutes.  Rinse well.  When you use this recipe on berries you will notice that the berries last much longer than they would of without it.

SPOT CLEANER ON CARPET (Great for pet urine)

• 1/2 Cup of Vinegar  
• 1/2 Cup of Boiling Hot Water

As soon as the water is boiled pour the vinegar into the water.  Pour the water directly over the carpet stain.  It will bubble and you will notice all the urine or whatever s in the carpet will rise to the top.   Pound down on the stain with your fists with a clean dry towel.  It may need to be repeated but it works.  The vinegar helps get rid of the urine smell also.

LIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP – SMALL BATCH

• 3 Pints Water
• 1/3 BAR FELS NAPTHA SOAP (grated)  
•  1/2 Cup Washing Soda (ARM and HAMMER, NOT BAKING SODA)
•  1/2 Cup of 20 Mule Team BORAX  
•  2 Gallon Bucket to mix it in
•  1 Quart of Hot Water

Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints of hot water and heat one low until dissolved.  Stir in Washing Soda and Boran. Stir until thickened and remove from heat.  Add 1 quart hot water to 2 gallon bucket.  Add soap mixture and mix well.  Fill bucket completely with additional hot water and mix well  Set aside for 24 hours or until mixture become thickened.  You may add additional HOT water if the mixture becomes too thick.  Mix well before each use.  Use 1/2 Cup of mixture per load.  Makes 64 loads. Costs per load .03

POWDERED LAUNDRY DETERGENT

• 1 Cup grated FELS NAPTHA SOAP
• 1/2 Cup Super Washing Soda
• 1/2 Cup 20 Mule Team BORAX

Mic and store in an air tight container or bag.  For LIGHT OR SMALL LOADS use 1 Tablespoon.  For NORMAL LOADS, use 2 Tablespoons.  For HEAVY LOADS use 3 Tablespoons  Cost per load .15

To Make Large Batch           Grate 6 bars of FELS NAPTHA SOAP and then add 3 cups of Super Washing Soda and 3 cups of 20 Mule Team BORAX.  Mix Well and store in covered container.

TIP: The above recipes will NOT make suds in your washer so don’t be alarmed.  Fels Naptha Soap is a pure soap and tyically makes little or no suds in the water.  This makes it perfect for use in the new HE washers as well as the traditional washers.  You will also notice the need to either reduce your laundry softener or in most cases you can even eliminate the use of softener completely, depending on your preference.

Laundry detergent source: therachelberryblog.com

For high quality essential oils that can be used in cleaning products or medicinally try YOUNG LIVING OILS.  They carry an antibacterial blend called THIEVES that can be used many ways that can replace tee tree oil for cleaning and also good in air vaporizers to rid the air of germs and bad smells.

Grapefruit Seed Extract is also available through Amazon.com

Consumers often assume that the cleaning products industry is strongly regulated by the government, but EWG Senior Analyst Nneka Leiba tells Yahoo! Shine that this is a misconception. “Most hazardous ingredients are legal and many are unlabeled.” These include toxic compounds such as formaldehyde that are banned in other countries and are known to or suspected of causing cancer, blindness, asthma, burns, and other afflictions. There is also little information on how the hundreds of chemicals we are exposed to react together and what their cumulative effects on the body are.

The EWG came up with its “Hall of Shame” list while developing an extensive database that scientifically analyzes the chemicals in 2,000 products. “While we were researching the database, we saw glaring problems which we wanted to highlight to the public immediately,” says Leiba. The full database will be published in the fall of 2012.

The EWG report cites the following worst offenders:

Mop & Glo Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner contains methoxydiglycol (DEGME), a toxic chemical which is “suspected of damaging the unborn child” by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. The EWG found that the DEGME levels in this product are up to 15 times higher than allowed in the European Union.

Tarn-X Tarnish Remover contains up to seven percent thiourea, which is categorized as a carcinogen by the state of California. The National Toxicology Program, an interagency governement group, says that thiourea is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”

Simple Green Concentrated All-Purpose Cleaner claims to be “non-toxic” but contains 2-butoxyethanol, a solvent absorbed through the skin that irritates eyes and may damage red blood cells. The EWG points out that this highly concentrated product should be diluted, but is sold in a spray bottle which is can lead customers to misuse it in a hazardous way.

Target’s Up & Up and Walmart’s Great Value brands are what the EWG calls “mystery mixes,” products whose labels offer little or no ingredient information.

There are a number of products the EWG also says to avoid. For specific information on the risks involved with each product click on the “Hall of Shame” list:

• Whink Rust Stain Remover
• Citra-Solv Cleaner and Degreaser
• Spic and Span Multi-Surface and Floor Cleaner
• Scrubbing Bubbles Anti-Bacterial Bathroom Cleaner and Extend-a-Clean Mega Shower Foamer
• DampRid Mildew Stain Remover Plus Blocker
• Easy-Off Fume Free Over Cleaner
• Drano Extra Strength Kitchen Crystals Clog Remover
• Walmart Great Value Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner
• CVS Fume Free Oven Cleaner
• Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Aerosol Spray
• Glade Air Freshener
• Air Wick Air Freshener
• Spot Shots Stain Remover
• Lysol Disinfectant Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• 2000 Flushes Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• X-14 Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Hagarty Liquid Jewel Clean
• Ajax, Dynamo, and Fab Ultra Liquid Laundry Detergents
• Static Guard
• Final Touch Ultra Liquid Fabric Softener
• Clorox, Fantastik, Febreze, Formula 409, Easy-Off, Lysol, Mr. Clean and Spic and Span spray cleaners
• Comet Disinfectant Cleanser Powder
• Lysol Neutra Air Freshmatic
• Air Wick Freshmatic Compact
• Febreze and Glade Automatic Air Fresheners

Until the full database comes out in the fall, which will point consumers toward the safest products, Leiba says that consumers should be stringent label readers. “The fine print warnings are revealing. If a product says it may be fatal, you probably shouldn’t be using it around a young child. If it says use gloves, use gloves. If it says don’t use around pets or in confined area, then that is telling you something about its safety.” If a product has minimal labeling, she suggests calling the company for more information.

Source: http://shine.yahoo.com/green/worst-household-cleaners-health-152200302.html

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Mission Statement:

Our mission is to broaden the consumer base for USDA Certified Organic personal care by maintaining affordable prices while producing effective, luxury products using the highest quality ingredients available in the marketplace.

Brittanie’s Thyme is a women-owned, USDA certified organic company based in Cedar Springs, MI. We are dedicated to manufacturing luxury organic personal care that is safe and effective, yet affordable.

Our product formulator and CEO, Nancy Metzger, utilizes her training as an esthetician and her extensive knowledge of herbs to produce high quality products that even those with very sensitive skin can use. We strive to produce products that have a minimal effect on the planet, yet provide maximum results for our customers. We do not test any products on animals.

Our belief is that natural and organic is a life choice, not a fashion or a trend. Our products are intended to be used, and used regularly. Our ingredients as well as our prices reflect this philosophy. No fillers, artificial preservatives, artificial fragrances or dyes are used. We produce small batches of each product to ensure freshness.

Brittanie’s Thyme,

www.BrittaniesThyme.com

I was sent the:

Enviro Cloth – Use damp to clean and sanitize just about every surface in your home.

Polishing Cloth – Use dry after you’ve cleaned with the Enviro on all shiney surfaces like windows, mirrors, chrome, stainless, porcelein, etc.