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Hello!
Here it is just past the Autumn Solstice and
the days are definitely getting shorter. We
do, however,
still have stone fruit and berries to enjoy
for a little longer, in addition to a little
more warm weather and sunshine.
I'm addressing two timely issues
in this
newsletter - revisiting the bottled water
question; and reviewing new regulations
for raw almonds.
I hope you'll join me for some of the following
speeches and group programs coming up the
next few weeks.
1) Balancing Blood Sugar:
The Secret
to Health and Vitality
FREE: Wednesday, October 3, 2007
7:00-8:00 P.M., Elephant Pharmacy, 909 Grand
Avenue, San Rafael
It's not just diabetics that have to
pay attention to blood sugar levels. It's the
single most important thing everyone can do
for optimal health. Learn why from the latest
research. And learn how to get fast results
to slow
aging, decrease inflammation and experience
greater levels of health and vitality.
2) Optimal Health and
Nutrition
on Your Journey to Parenthood
Saturday, September 29, 2007, 11:45
A.M. - 1 P.M., as part of the Northern
California Resolve Conference on that day
from 8-5:
Journey to Parenthood: Exploring
Fertility Treatments and Adoption
See
the website for more information.
I'll be addressing nutrition for hormonal
balance and health from trying to conceive,
right through pregnancy and parenthood.
3) A
Group Detoxification Program in San
Francisco
Located at the Pilates studio of Gay
Barnes and Niki Revolt
Group meetings for
the 21-Day detox.
Tuesdays, October 16, October 23 and
November 6, 2007.
Please Register this week by
Friday,
September 28
See the details in
last
month's newsletter.
4) Autumn Cooking Classes
A series of 2 classes, lunch
included, with accomplished chef, Shannon
Hughes.
Saturdays, November 3 and November
17, 2007.
Limited seating. Register by
October
15.
See
the details in last
month's newsletter.
I hope you'll join me for one or all
of these exciting events, and jumpstart your
fall season. Of course, I'm always available
for one-on-one consultations. Just contact
me for an appt!
If you'd like to forward this
newsletter to
your friends and family, use the forward link
at the bottom of this page, to
ensure the newsletter in its entirety will be
forwarded. Forwarding through your e-mail
program may leave out all the
graphics, and is not as enjoyable a read for
the recipients. As always, it's greatly
appreciated when you pass it on to others.
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No More Raw Almonds! |
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It's likely that most of you are not aware of
a new regulation for pasteurizing almonds
recently enacted by the USDA, because this
mandate happened without public hearing or
notification!
What is the ruling?
As of 9/01/07, ALL raw almonds
consumed in the
U.S. must be pasteurized.
Pasteurization is a
process, usually using heat, which kills
microorganisms. However, the heat may also
affect the quality of the fat in the almonds.
It may inactivate healthy and important
nutrients and digestive enzymes present in
raw almonds, making them no longer a healthy,
raw and living food. Even more disturbing
though is that the use of propylene oxide for
chemical pasteurization was also approved.
Propylene oxide is a highly toxic and
cancer-causing substance that was once used
as a racing fuel. It's outlawed for food use
in almost every country except the United
States. Propylene Oxide also does not even
have an FDA "Generally Recognized as Safe"
status.
Why did this happen?
This mandate came as a result of the Almond
Board of California 's request to the USDA,
in an effort to avoid any potential legal
ramifications in their future. They were
concerned about two outbreaks of salmonella
on almonds that occurred in the last 150
years (one in 2001 and one in 2004, neither
causing serious harm). In both cases, the
almonds in question were processed in large
manufacturing sites. No organic almonds grown
by small farmers have ever caused a problem.
The Almond Board moved so quietly and behind
the scenes that the public had no opportunity
for their voices to be heard. And, in fact,
most citizens are not even aware of this
change in the quality of the raw almonds they
are consuming.
Small and local farmers will be impacted
most. Implementing a costly pasteurization
system will effectively drive the small
organic farmers out of business, leaving us
with only pesticide-sprayed and
chemical-pasteurized almonds.
What about labeling?
These almonds will continue to be labeled as
"raw"! There is not even a labeling
requirement indicating what "method" of
pasteurization was used. So the person
purchasing the almonds will not know if the
almonds they are eating were treated with
heat or the chemical propylene oxide.
What is the bigger concern?
What happens to our freedom of choice with
the foods we consume? Shouldn't we have a
say? Who is to say that this won't happen
with all other foods?
Shouldn't we hold our food producers
to high
standards of clean, careful production rather
than pass laws to protect their carelessness?
What can you do about it?
1) PROTEST: We always have a say with
our purchasing dollars. Only purchase organic
IMPORTED ALMONDS, which won't require
pasteurization. Show the industry that you
won't play. Or, buy from the farmer directly,
because it's the handler for retail the law
applies to. We must send a message that we
won't tolerate this.
2) SIGN THE PETITION and join over
20,000 who have already done so.
www.gopetition.com or click
here to link directly to the petition.
3) Lastly, you can tell your family and
friends.
Call for an personalized appointment....
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