What do natural seeds, Ireland, Greenpeace,Health Freedon USA, the rest of this list and many more reputable organizations, authors, and foundations have in common?

They all say NO TO GMOs.

They all say NO to Monsanto.

Today I want to share with you the obvious, the horrendous, the unbelievable. The corporate agenda of greed, control and disregard for the humans on this planet.

I attended a dietetics convention and visited the Monsanto exhibit. I asked the RD if she understood the impact that Monsanto was having on the world’s farmers. Monsanto bought all the seed companies and was now forcing famers to buy seeds, their seeds, every year. “we are feeding the world” was the reply.

Tell that to the farmer in Canada that was sued by Monsanto for harvesting seeds to sell. Tell that to the farmer in Africa who was turned in by his neighbor for saving seeds from a previous crop. That farmer was paid by Monsanto with a leather jacket.

GMO = A Genetically Modified Organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques that involves the insertion or deletion of genes.

GM crops on the market incorporate essentially just two “traits”
- herbicide tolerance and/or insect resistance. They are used for animal feed, biofuels, or highly processed food products in rich countries.
Most commercial GM crops are grown by Brazil, Argentina and the US.

The real beneficiaries of the GM system are biotech
companies which profit from patents, expensive GM seeds,
and increased pesticide sales. Poor farmers in contrast are
squeezed by escalating costs.

There is a smattering of the economic impact that GMOs have on the global farming community.

Let’s take a look at the political scene:
A key component of the U.S./Monsanto plan to dominate world agriculture with genetically modified seeds is the absence of labeling of genetically engineered foods.
- the Food & Drug Administration (FDA,
- the. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
- and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — have ruled that genetically- modified foods deserve an exception: they can be sold without being labeled “genetically modified.”
Here’s where CODEX Alimentarius enters the scene.
With the help of the present and past 5 presidencies, Codex Alimentarius, which sets standards for the international trade of food, permits genetically modified foods and makes no effort to limit, control or eliminate them. In fact, the US has been trying for years to prevent the labeling of GM foods and seed in international trade to emulate its domestic policy which I just spoke of.
What impact does this biotechnology have on human health?

Did you know… since 1996 Americans have been eating genetically modified (GM) ingredients in most processed foods.
Did you know… GM plants, such as soybean, corn, cottonseed, and canola, and sugar beets have had foreign genes forced into their DNA which have never been in the human food supply. Then consider the increased amounts of herbacides that are used because the weeds become tolerant…that is ingested with the plant.
Did you know… The American Academy of Environmental Medicine asked physicians to advise patients to avoid GM foods.
Here’s where Greenpeace involvement enters.

The data for a study that revealed liver problems in rats as well as reproductive problems was only obtained after a successful court case in France in which Greenpeace led initiative sued to gain access to the data presented to the European Commission that resulted in its subsequent approval. ? The credibility of the current authorization system for GMO products is in serious question.
Here’s another piece of information, maybe best left out for the squeamish. Check out Morgellons Disease. Unknown etiology, over 2000 cases currently. Some suspect the fibrous material that erupts from the skin after causing excruciating itching and crawling feeling is actually a result of the ingestion of GM foods. Why?

No one could figure it out until biochemist Vitaly Citovsky discovered that the fibers contain a substance called “Agrobacterium,” which, according to New Scientist, is “used commercially to produce genetically-modified plants.” Could GM plants be “causing a new human disease?”
What’s a person to do?
Go to http://salsa.democracyinaction.org to tell your senators and congress people that you want CHOICE for Health Freedom.
GMOs do not meet the Precautionary Principle because they are administratively, not scientifically, deemed to be equivalent to unmodified organisms while excellent science substantiates that they pose special high level dangers for consumers, farmers and the environment.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO BAN GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD
Visit http://www.greenpeace.org/internationa…

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm

Shop GMO free. follow the four quidelines:
1. Buy Organic
2. Look for No GMO labels
3. Avoid At-risk ingredients including corn, soybeans, canola, cottonseed
4. Buy Products listed in the shopping guide at http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com and www.MuscleRepairShop.com for more tips and info about “Fueling Up” with First Choices for Organic foods. Read “Organic Smorganic”

“SMORGANIC?”
Is that a word? It was in my house before repeated discussion and comparison changed Butch’s and Tabby’s mind. I think it was the difference in the taste of fresh organic produce that eventually convinced them that not only was organic food better for the human body but it was also good for the planet.

The crew at The Muscle Repair Shop know that the right fuel is essential for a smooth running body. Along with the need for Align Up, Tune Up, and Lube Up
The Fuel Up section is so important. How can a body run well on unhealthy fuel?

Organic farming is sustainable and redirects the energy consumption away from the food chain reducing the use of petroleum products and eventually reducing the cost of organic food to make it affordable and available. Consumer demand will drive the market.

So, shop organic using the guidelines below.

These foods are First Choice foods – These fruits & vegetables are either protected from pesticide contamination by their outer protective skin or they are hearty growers that are naturally pest resistant and therefore require less chemicals to produce good tasting healthy produce. Whether you peel them or not it’s always best to wash/rinse before you peel them.

Pineapple – Tough skin
Mango – Thick skin
Kiwis – Protective peel
Watermelon – Barrier rind
Papaya – Impenetrable peel

Avocado – Thick skins
Asparagus – Natural resilience
Sweet Corn – Natural protection
Onions – Naturally pest resilient
Sweet Peas – Pod protection
Cabbage – Naturally clean
Eggplant – Tough skin
Sweet Potatoes – Naturally clean
Tomatoes – Recently redeemed from the Dirty Dozen list
Broccoli – Fewer pest threats = less spraying

These foods are at the top of the First Choice Organic list.

Spend your organic dollar wisely. Some of the foods on this list are my favorites. Don’t get discouraged. Just make the choices that make sense.

Meat – Hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides store in the fat so, if not organic then at least make it lean. Also consider the portion size. The protein portion on your plate should take up only ¼ of the plate, if that.

Milk – Hormone, antibiotic, and pesticide levels in children pose a health risk. This is a very serious consideration for kids since many provide milk as a staple of a child’s diet.

Peaches – Thin skin lots of pesticides show in testing.
Strawberries – Imported are grown with more pesticides, but even domestic are one of the hardest fruits to grow commercially without regular treatment with chemicals.
Apple – Many fungi and insects are problems so multiple chemicals are used and can’t be washed off or peeled away.
Peaches – 32 types of pesticides found on nectarines
Cherries – 42 pesticides found by government testing

Blueberries – 52 pesticides !!!! This was a shocker. My absolute favorite fruit. I have not found an organic source that is affordable yet. I have a freezer full of blueberries that I use for smoothies. I am struggling with whether to consider that there are few sources of chemicals in my diet and therefore use them occasionally or toss them. Finding a balance is key.

Celery – No protective skin
Bell Peppers – Thin skin barrier so sprayed heavily
Spinach – 48 different pesticides
Kale – High amounts of residue
White potatoes – 37 different pesticides.

Coffee- Grown in countries with no regulations to limit use of chemicals or enforcement FOR Fair trade.

There is so much information about how to grow organic, shop organic and cook organic. Check out http://www.thedailygreen.com, www.greenpeace.com or just google organic for answers to just about any question you might have. You are also invited to comment on our blog and ask questions.

In our healthcare today everyone seems to be blaming everyone for the failures that seem to occur on a daily basis. The doctors are to blame because they are evil and only want money. I don’t believe that! The insurance companies are only out there for profit and they don’t care. Well, they are there for profit as they are a profit driven business with stockholders to please. Their major concern is to make a profit, I don’t believe they live their lives trying to make you miserable. The pharmaceutical companies only care about profit and getting everyone hooked on drugs. We have painted them to be these evil monsters who are sitting around big conference tables conjuring up concoctions to drug us to death. Well they too, are profit driven companies that have stockholders to please as well. These large companies, not unlike every company large or small, is in existence because there was a need and they filled it. We don’t want to hurt at all, so they invent a drug to do that on a temporary basis and we buy them perpetually to not hurt. They never promised to cure us. We assumed that was their intention and you know what happens when we assume anything. It’s no different than McDonalds or Wal-Mart. Every body complains and bad mouths them, but we want food fast and cheap, McDonalds supplied it. We wanted clothes and stuff cheap and readily available, Walmart supplied it. Now we are mad as hell because they did. We pine for the old days, yet we have made all the richest companies in the world. Why? Because they did exactly what we ask them to do. It is up to you and me to take a moment to figure out what we are doing wrong in our choices. Let me hear your feelings on this as I really want to know how you feel.

So many people have said repeatedly that you cannot be healthier until you decide to be. This has never been truer than today. More and more people are dealing with obesity, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Unfortunately, the people, you and me, are making the decisions to suffer from these problems. I am not trying to be mean, but honest with myself and hopefully honest in a positive way to you. If you are overweight, it is because you are choosing the wrong foods and the wrong lifestyle. I know you may not know what to do. Get on the internet and research to figure it out. There are many people, including some doctors, nutritionists, trainers, and therapists online just dying to help you. Heart disease is the result of someone eating badly and not exercising like they are suppose to. Cancer is showing up more and more as a result of the types of foods you may be eating. I know what you are saying! You are screaming at me that it is in your genes and there is nothing you can do about it, but that is where you are wrong! Your genes are telling you that you have a higher risk of getting these diseases, but it is not hopeless. The way to look at your genes in this situation is to use it like a warning light. Since you have the genes, learning about which foods may affect you more and what is the importance of exercise to preventing these diseases. The doctors are overwhelmed and the people are refusing to look at preventative measures to prevent these diseases in the first place.
As humans we are responsible for putting our bodies in a position to stay healthy. The doctor’s role is to be there in the case of emergency like a broken bone or torn ligaments, or the odd case of someone living healthy and still getting a disease. We will never see this until we stop relying on others to take care of us and stop buying foods that make us sick. It is up to you to decide how sick you want t be!

Recently I was interviewed on a radio program called Sports Injury Prevention Inner Circle. To listen to the audio recording, click the link below.

Listen to Radio Interview

This is one of many powerful testimonials that my patients have experienced, in this case, spinal stenosis. If you have a friend or loved one who is suffering from chronic pain, have them watch this video testimonial.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Don’t laugh, but I was told by a woman that she placed rubber snakes around her lanai and the squirrels stopped coming in her yard. So I had to try it! She was right. I out the snakes out on Thursday and we have not seen a squirrel around our backyard ever since. We were getting a ton of squirrels everyday.

The word change was used in the last Presidential election as a motto that people seem to embrace. I think what the President meant was, we would have to change. Unfortunately most of his supporters didn’t understand, they would have to change. No healthcare plan will ever be successful until the people take responsibility for their health and make better decisions. Everyday I see people who are obese standing in line at a fast food restaurant, riding on electric carts vs walking around the store, or drinking soft drinks like there is no tomorrow.
To begin with, if you are an obese person or heart patient, you should be walking as much as possible. I don’t mean running a marathon, but walk farther in a parking lot, walk around the store, walk around the block. I know there are many doctors who give out handicap passes like candy, but they are doing you a disservice.
By choosing to walk a little more each day will increase your endurance, increase your calorie burning, and improve your heart health. At first you will walk at a slower pace, but work at increasing your pace before moving to greater distances. Improving your diet is easier than you think. Try eating more vegetables so you will get way more vitamins from your diet. A little tip here is to shop at your local farmers market so you get food design for you in the climate you live. That is important and no diet plan ever discusses that.
Reduce you consumption of red meat and dairy products. If you love whole milk then try almond milk or silk. It is much lower in calories and the taste is similar to whole milk. Making little choices each day is ho you make quantum gains over time. Do not beat yourself if you fall off the wagon. Just get back on and continue on.
The healthcare industry is not going to help you because they are making billions by you remaining sick. It is not in their best interest to go broke. Keep in mind they are a for profit business and not a good will company. I hope you will pass along the information provided on my website and blog to your friends so they will begin to explore how their bodies work. Then we will have true healthcare reform.

This is the time of year when everyone makes their resolution for the coming year. Usually people resolve to lose weight, join gym and get healthy, or improve their finances. The problem is no one seems to figure out how to do that. Most resolutions come down to one thing, making better choices. How do you do that? You must be informed. If you need to lose weight, learn what your body needs to be healthy and the choice to eat better will automatically happen. You see we are bombarded by ads on TV, radio, and newspapers about products that will let you eat badly and lose weight. This is bogus information. There is no magic pill or food that you can take, no matter what you eat,and your body will be healthy. NO magic pill. If you do not understand the human body and what foods are necessary for it to stay healthy, then you may fall for these ads. The companies are counting on you not knowing. The same goes for gyms. You must get up and physically workout to a sweat before any positive things will happen to your. As a trainer, I watched gyms count on people every December spend their hard earned money for an annual membership they would use for maybe a month. Why does this happen? Do you notice there are way more people in the gym then the few trainers on staff could ever help? There is a reason for this. If everyone going to the gym knew how to workout to get the best results, then the gym would be so crowded you would never get in. They oversell the memberships at 2-3 times the capacity of the gym. They are counting on you quitting.
I don’t mean to make gym owners and diet companies out to be bad people. The problem here is we make bad choices every day. If we would take a little time and learn what our bodies need to stay healthy, then make the right choices, things would change. Gyms would have to staff differently and only sell to their capacity, Diet companies would probably change their products to fit your new needs. Drug companies would definitely lose at least 50% of their profits, as would doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies. All these companies have made a profit on you being unhealthy. Your bad choices give them billions of dollars in profits each year. Aren’t you tired of bad choices? C’mon let’s resolve to make better choices in 2010 and keep your money in your pocket.

I am not here to discuss politics and morality of the current healthcare plans being batted around, but to just talk about what I think is missing in our thought processes. I saw a sign yesterday from Tampa General Hospital that said they were celebrating the fact they had performed over 107,918 cardiac procedures. It sounds like they have a lot of experience treating heart disease. Well, my way of thinking is a little different. We should be asking, why are they having to do over a 100,000 procedures. Or why are there 250,000 diagnosis of breast cancer every year, of which 14,000 women die annually. Why over 2 million people suffer from plantar fasciitis each year and 10% of our total population will suffer from it at some point in their life time. That’s 30 million Americans. Why? Low back pain is the #1 reason Americans go to the doctor. Over 700,000 people are diagnosed annually with heart disease. I want to explore the whys and what can be done to improve it without spending billions of dollars to fix it.
Let’s start with Heart Disease. 90% of heart disease and strokes can be prevented with healthy eating and better lifestyle.
We can no longer eat high fat diets and not exercise while expecting to reduce healthcare. It is like we are trying to break the bank with disease. Obesity plays such a huge role in our healthcare costs. Let me explain. If I back up a small pickup truck to a large dump truck, full of dirt, and tell the driver to dump that dirt into my little truck, what do you think will happen? The axles will break, right? Well your body is that little truck and your hips and knees are your axles.? Your body can only carry so much weight. Once you exceed that weight, the pressure on your joints will cause the joints to deteriorate. Even if you replace them, the joints will continue to deteriorate until another joint will be needed. It never stops. Your muscles will not be strong enough to pick you up, so you will have a hard time walking, so cardiovascular exercise becomes out of the question. This will affect the heart and every other organ in your body. Your body has to move, regardless of all the gadgets out there to allow you to sit. As the obesity rate rises, the rate of heart disease and strokes follow right along.
Every American should exercise vigorously 30 minutes a day. This could be a brisk walk, riding a bike, or swimming. When starting out try to do low impact exercises, especially if you are overweight.
Strength training should be next on your list. If the gym is not for you there are other options. You could be pushups, pull ups, abdominal crunches, and lift hand weights or leg weights. Leg weights make a good little gym as you can use them to strengthen your legs and your upper body.
Getting a massage monthly is a must. I am not talking about a relaxing spa massage, but a deep tissue massage to clean out those tight muscles so the blood will flow better.
Active Isolated stretching should be on your list. For many years people have been taught how to stretch by holding the stretch for 10-30 seconds and using a stretchy band. Actually you should stretch for no more than 2-3 seconds and use a rope or belt to stretch. Active Isolated Stretching is a technique you can use at home and doesn’t require a class to do it, plus you will stretch muscles you didn’t even know you had.
Finally eating. You are what you eat, truly. Many of our vegetables were shipped from all over the world. Shipped vegetables typically are picked too early and never had the nutrients your body was suppose to get. Try to buy locally grown vegetables so you can get the most nutritious foods available.
No cure or treatment is ever going to reduce these major diseases. If money were the answer, then with all the money collected through donations for cancer of various types, heart association, diabetes association, and any other foundation to stamp a disease, there should be no disease in America. Unfortunately that is not the case. You are the cure! Every choice you make in diet and lifestyle determine the quality of your life. It’s your choice, you can choose a better quality of life, but it is your choice. We will continue this series to cover other ailments and diseases.