Truth about GMO

On any given day, people everywhere are surrounded by what some call "chemical soup." Found in the foods we eat, the water we drink and bathe in, most consumer goods, and the air we breathe, chemicals are difficult if not impossible to avoid. While some are useful, many are toxic and their harm to the environment and human and animal health far outweigh their benefits.

Although many commonly used chemicals are detrimental to your health, it is important to remember that everything on the Earth is made of natural chemical elements. As just one example, nearly 80 percent of our atmosphere is nitrogen. Nitrogen occurs in all living organisms and is present in the cells of every plant and animal. While nitrogen and other natural chemical elements are essential to life, they can become toxic in higher amounts and/or when altered.

In the early 1880's, German Scientists discovered a way to create fertilizer from nitrogen in an effort to increase crop production. Today, nitrogen-based fertilizers have helped to feed billions of people, but they are also responsible for poisoning ecosystems, destroying fisheries, and causing sickness and disease. Clearly, it isn't that all chemicals are bad, but rather that many have been used unwisely and in excess.

There are currently more than 80,000 untested industrial chemicals used in consumer products with more than 2,000 new synthetic chemicals registered every year. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified hundreds of chemical ingredients in personal care products alone. Over 51 of them are considered "endocrine disruptors." Also known as Xenohormones, these synthetic and natural compounds mimic hormones in the endocrine systems of both humans and animals.

The endocrine system influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. It is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes. These systems work together to maintain the proper functioning of the body through its entire life cycle. Chemicals that disrupt endocrine system function are linked to premature puberty, PMS, infertility, endometriosis, prostate disease, early menopause and more.

Petroleum products are powerful endocrine disruptors and are another example of how what was once natural works against us. Formed by tiny sea plants and fish that died and sank to the bottom of the oceans millions of years ago, Petroleum is a "fossil fuel." Petroleum products are present in virtually everything from food additives to your clothing and toothbrush.

Many personal care products use Mineral Oil as the primary ingredient. Literally liquid petroleum, it is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline and other petroleum based products from crude oil. Trusting it to be completely safe, when you were a baby, your mother likely slathered you in Baby Oil (100% Mineral Oil) on a daily basis.

Let's live in confidence and awareness rather than fear, accepting that chemicals are an integral part of our world. Through education and focus, we can navigate through our "chemical soup." With every wise choice you make to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals, you will avoid one more burden on your body and contribute to a cleaner environment. In the words of our Surgeon General, "Read the label!"

Please check the ingredients in your personal care products carefully. Remember, the skin is the body's largest organ and everything you put on it goes into your bloodstream. When you purchase your personal care products from Organic Excellence, you can feel confident knowing they are chemical free. We never add artificial fragrances, colors, parabens, preservatives, additives, genetically modified ingredients or use animal testing.

To learn more about Organic Excellence and our great line of chemical free health and personal care products, please visit our website at: http://www.OrganicExcellence.com

Organic Excellence features a line of chemical and fragrance free health and personal care products. Please visit: http://www.OrganicExcellence.com and sign up for our free monthly newsletter to receive exclusive monthly product specials.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for the advice, diagnosis or treatment of a medical professional. If you suspect the possibility of any physical or psychological disorder, please seek expert medical care.

It's one thing to have a 72-hour emergency kit and be prepared for a short-lived disaster, yet quite another to stock up on food supplies for an event that is much longer in duration. There are a number of excuses for focusing solely on a shorter-term disaster survival plan, but what if you were required to be self-sustaining for weeks, months, or even longer? It's not a fun topic to dwell upon, but it is something to prepare for, even if its use never comes into fruition. Kind of like insurance, you can take comfort in knowing if it ever was necessary, you are at least covered.

One of the most useful additions to a long-term food supply is heirloom seeds. These beauties are extremely important for many reasons. Heirloom seeds are not genetically modified (non-hybrid). This makes it possible to gather seeds from your veggies to reuse season after season. Even if your focus was more on frugality and good health (non-GMO), these seeds are the best way to go.

Imagine a situation where a person (maybe you) did not have much extra space to store MRE's, dehydrated foods, freeze-dried items, canned goods (and the like), does have enough seeds to be able to produce an output more than all of these things combined year after year indefinitely. Wouldn't that put a hefty premium on these puppies in a circumstance in which they were called for? Much like having a good water filter should be a high priority on your long-term emergency supplies list because you can literally suck gallons of safe drinking water out of lakes and streams, heirloom seeds are your food counterpart to this equation.

Ever find yourself wondering what else you should add to your emergency preparedness regimen? Take it from this angle-- how can I leverage all of these items for the benefit of myself and others should we ever need to put them to use? Then you might decide to store things that you personally might not use, but could barter with someone else to get something that you want that hadn't occurred to you during your preparation efforts. And, bingo, heirloom seeds are just the ticket to add to your storage, because you can either trade the produce you get from the growing of them, or some of the heirloom seeds themselves. They will be more precious than gold in times of need!

Heirloom seeds are such a practical addition to your long-term emergency food storage. And you'll be surprised at the variety of this type of seed that is on the market today. If you're a gardener already you should experiment with heirloom seeds. You'll find that you won't want to go back to hybrid seeds afterward. The heirlooms are natural and prolific!

Order your heirloom seeds today-- without delay. Try them, you'll surely like them.

Are you seriously concerned about the possible harm that may come to you and your family with the kind of food that you are serving on the table?

Amidst the controversy and concern about genetically-modified foods, we are now seeing the emergence of a new philosophy about healthy eating known as organic food. This food scare that has crept into our homes has led us to avoid chemically-laden foods, beefs, and other foods that are known to have negative effects on our health and our children's mental development.

The main organic food sources include animal foods and plants that were not exposed to excessive amounts of chemicals. There is a strict adherence to the banning of genetically modified foods in this type of farming setup. This is one of the more contentious issues plaguing commercial farms as there is now a growing backlash on such commercial farming practice. Animals are raised on these farms. They are provided a living space that mimics their natural habitat. They are fed food without any traces of chemicals and drugs.

Many people believe that these foods are always ahead when it comes to taste. Many people are choosing organics at the grocery store as an alternative to regular, commercially grown foods. Studies show that food in its purest form can alleviate many causes of food allergies and reactions.

As we are appreciating the direct benefits that we get when you include these foods in our diet, we are also contributing to the protection of our environment. It is also an accepted fact, that workers in organic farms are a lot safer as they are not exposed to harmful chemicals.

Our main concern about commercial foods is our continued ingestion of harmful chemicals and pesticides that remain in the foods that we buy from a commercial grocer. One particular concern is antibiotics. These antibiotics generally find their way to the food chain and are taken in by humans when they eat the animals that have been raised on commercial farms. Several researchers have already confirmed the increased health risks that result from the ingestion of animals that have been raised on antibiotics. Some of these antibiotics and chemicals have carcinogenic effects and may even lead to the mental retardation of our children.

The beneficial effects to humans, animals and our environment are enough reasons for us to take a strong stand to support these products. With the increased demand and preference for organically produced plants and animals, more people will be encouraged to go into this type of farming to meet the growing demand. This will ensure that there will be an ample supply of healthy and safe food product which we can serve to our families.

Chuck R. Stewart bought some organic food online for a child who has a reaction to many pesticides used on food. He researched some organic food sources in an effort to start eating more healthy.

As you furnish your nursery for your new arrival, don't forget to include organic crib sheets on your list of necessities for baby's bedding. All natural crib furnishings are often made of the softest hand-picked cotton, with no harsh chemicals or artificial materials added during manufacturing. I believe every baby deserves a completely organic nursery not just an organic crib mattress.

Why is organic cotton preferable to conventionally grown cotton for your baby's bedding?

You already know that 100% cotton is the best choice for your baby's bedding. Cotton is soft and natural, and unlike most synthetic materials, it allows air circulation while transporting moisture away from your baby while she sleeps. Does it really make any difference whether you use organic crib sheets rather than bedding made from conventionally grown materials?

Actually, it makes a bigger difference than you may realize. Conventional methods of growing cotton often utilize chemical pesticides and other non-sustainable agricultural practices. The processing of cotton also introduces a large number of chemical pollutants, which are harmful for both your baby and the environment.

Let's take a look at a comparison of organically produced cotton and conventional bedding materials throughout the process from growing and harvesting the cotton to manufacturing baby sheets.

Organic Cotton:

• Not grown using genetically modified seeds and are not treated with chemical fungicides or pesticides;
• Soil health is maintained through crop rotation and natural organic materials; no chemical fertilizers are used;
• Weed control is maintained through the use of beneficial insects;
• During thread production, warp fibers are stabilized using non-toxic corn starch;
• Threads are whitened using natural peroxide;
• Fabric is finished by a soft scour with natural soda ash;
• Finished fabric is dyed and printed using natural pigments containing low levels of heavy metals.

Conventional Cotton:

• Plants are grown from seeds treated with chemical pesticides and fungicides;
• Soil is depleted due to single crop planting, synthetic fertilizers, and heavy irrigation;
• Chemical herbicides may be used to control weeds;
• During thread production, toxic waxes are often used to coat fibers to stabilize them;
• Threads are whitened using chlorine bleach, which has toxic bi-products that may be released to the environment;
• Fabric is finished using harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde (a respiratory irritant);
• Dyeing and printing materials include heavy metal pigments and sulfur.

The end result of this process is that crib sheets made from conventional cotton contain chemical substances which can be harmful to your baby. Your little one will spend between 12 and 18 hours sleeping each day during his first few months; that's a lot of time spent inhaling irritants which may make him sick and have a lasting impact on his health.

Organic crib sheets are gentle on baby's skin and lungs; they contain no heavy metal dyes, and they are produced in an ecologically responsible manner. You should look for manufacturers that use hand-picked cotton that is harvested using fair trade practices. Organic crib sheets will cradle your baby in comfort while absorbing moisture from perspiration, drooling, and diaper leakage. They are machine washable for easy cleaning, and just like regular crib sheets, they are available in a variety of adorable designs.

When you buy organic merchandise, the prices are generally a bit higher than conventionally produced materials, but the long-term impact on your baby's health and the environment makes them a far better choice in the end. You want nothing but the best for your infant. You can give your baby a great head start by providing a safe and healthy sleeping environment with all-natural organic crib sheets.

I am a retired grandmother who enjoys babysitting all six of my priceless grandchildren. In my spare time I stay active, travel, and write informative articles about the importance of organic crib sheets and other topics that matter to me.

Back in the day diet meant three "squares," no bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, no eating between meals except for a piece of fruit and absolutely no sweets.

We have come along way in discovering how our bodies process food, and have come to realize that eating a variety of foods including grains is essential to losing or maintaining healthy weight.

Today, in addition to the plethora of diets available to us, we are being challenged to develop an environmentally responsible relationship to our food that requires more mindfulness in the way we shop and eat.

You can start small by considering adopting the following suggestions as part of a greener lifestyle.

Buy locally whenever possible. Buying from local farmers and food producers brings healthy food to your table with lower transportation costs, greenhouse emissions, preservatives and pesticides. You are also getting food at its nutritional peak.

Grow a small garden. You don't need a large area to grow a few tomatoes, beans, peppers or any small vegetable. Smaller, vertical vegetables will grow nicely in containers on your deck or patio. If you live in an apartment house, get together with your neighbors, create a community roof garden, and reap the additional benefits of regular exercise while growing your own produce.

A vegetarian diet puts less stress on the planet and is easier on your body as long as you are careful to eat a balanced diet. Meat, dairy and grain products use more energy than their plant counterparts do. Gradually introduce more plant-based foods into your diet, by increasing portions of vegetables to meat, and eating meatless meals at least three times per week.

Studies show that eating more uncooked fruits and vegetables not only gives you more immediate access to high-density nutrients, but also reduces the energy needed to process and package food.

Reduce or eliminate fast food consumption. Most are blatantly unhealthy, and the amount of processing, cooking and packaging "take-out" foods is detrimental to your health and that of the planet.

Drink plenty of clean water instead of sugary soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Instead of buying plastic bottled water that increases the stress in our landfills, make your own filtered water by purchasing a pitcher type water filtering system. Fill the pitcher with water, add a little lemon juice and refrigerate. Don't forget to replace the filter every three months.

Use a toaster oven or counter top grill to cook smaller meals or leftovers. They use far less energy than larger kitchen appliances, and will keep your kitchen cooler in the summer.

Knowing where your food comes from will help you make healthy choices. Whenever possible buy meats from local growers, as their animals are not full of antibiotics that eventually find their way to our bodies. When shopping or eating out, don't be afraid to ask your grocer or restaurant owner about their suppliers. Always look for greener alternatives to genetically modified produce.

Learn about composting, as much of the food we waste and throw away can be recycled into nutrient rich soil for garden and house plants.

Become proactive in respecting and protecting clean air, water and soil that sustains our food supply and us. Every little thing you do to help preserve our planet's natural treasures puts you on the path to greener living.

Marianne L. Kelly a former chef, is a freelance journalist, editor and web writer. As a chef she offered tasty, healthy alternatives to high calorie, fat, sugar and sodium laden foods. She has designed her own healthy eating plan and has helped others do the same. Marianne has written three themed main stream cookbooks. She is currently working on a third that follows each season with stories, poems, thoughts and sayings along with healthy recipes from the bounty of each season. Marianne works with a web designer writing original content and re-writes, and is available for hire. For more information visit http://www.strawintogold.weebly.com or http://www.safeharbourpress.com

As you prepare for your new arrival, you have so many decisions to make. One thing you should never overlook is the importance of choosing organic baby clothes rather than a conventionally manufactured layette. Everyone talks about the importance of a high quality organic crib mattress. What about organic clothing for infants, does it really make that much difference?

The answer to this question is yes, absolutely. To understand why this is true, you should think about several aspects of organic clothing as compared to traditionally manufactured items. In each one of the following areas, organic products are far superior to conventionally produced merchandise.

Agricultural Practices

During the growing process, conventional textile producers often use seeds which are genetically modified and treated with chemical pesticides and fungicides. Synthetic fertilizers are used to compensate for loss of soil nutrients due to over-farming and heavy irrigation. On the other hand, organic fabrics are made from plants which are grown from all-natural seeds. Soil management includes crop rotation, use of beneficial insects rather than chemical herbicides to control weeds, and natural fertilizers.

Environmental Impact

During the manufacture of textiles using conventional practices, natural fibers are treated with chemical stabilizers, hot water, chlorine bleach, and toxic pigments containing high levels of heavy metals. These substances and their by-products are often released into waterways, which presents dangers to the local ecology. Organic textile manufacture uses only warm water, natural cleansers such as soda ash to clean and soften material, non-toxic dyes, and natural peroxide (as a whitener). All of these elements reduce the environmental impact of clothing production.

Baby's Health

Just to name a few of the harmful substances present in conventionally made clothing, baby clothes may contain heavy metals, synthetic materials which promote allergic reactions, and even formaldehyde - the same chemical which recently caused a big problem in the FEMA trailers used to house victims of Hurricane Katrina. Formaldehyde is also a known respiratory irritant, which is linked to childhood leukemia.

Any one of these harmful toxins can cause a wide range of health problems for your baby. Developmental damage, respiratory problems, leukemia, allergies, eye irritation, and nervous system depression have all been linked to these industrial chemicals. Organic clothing is made from all-natural materials using no harsh chemical additives, which is particularly important for a baby's sensitive skin. Infants with skin problems such as eczema can especially benefit from all-natural clothing.

Look and Feel of Baby Clothing

Regular baby clothing is often produced in huge plants, with little attention to quality and detail. As fast as your little one is growing, you want clothing that will survive more than one or two cycles through the washing machine. Organic, natural clothing is made from high-quality materials like cotton, silk, and hemp. Great care is taken in their manufacture, and it shows in the quality of the products. Soft, all-natural materials swaddle your baby in cozy comfort.

Price

There are so many things to buy when you are preparing for your new arrival. Getting ready for a baby costs a lot of money, and it is natural to look for the most affordable items for your nursery. Many expectant parents hesitate at paying higher prices for organic baby clothes; the truth is, while the initial investment is a bit higher for organic clothing, it is well worth it in the long run when you consider the impact on the environment and your baby's health.

Your new baby deserves the best of everything. Give your baby the gift of good health and safety with a certified organic crib mattress to sleep on, and adorable organic baby clothes to sleep in.

I am a retired grandmother who enjoys babysitting all six of my priceless grandchildren. In my spare time I stay active, travel, and write informative articles about organic baby clothes, and other topics that matter to me.

One of the latest trends in survival gear and disaster preparedness is maintaining a survival seed bank. While this term is somewhat unheard of, it is sure to gain popularity over the coming months.

Already, there are many manufacturers who advertise these seed banks as a way to supplement your home emergency and disaster survival items in the event of a catastrophic emergency.

Emergency seed banks contain thousands of non-hybrid seeds in many varieties and species. These seeds are usually packaged in high quality metallic bags and in a long lasting desiccant. The entire packaging is housed in a vault that is made to withstand water and damage.

Non-hybrid seeds are selected for their high nutritional value and hardiness. In addition to their sturdy heirloom quality, the seeds are open pollinated, allowing for harvesting of more seeds for the next years crop. Genetically modified seeds usually cannot be harvested for a second or third crop.

While the notion of storing a survival seed bank may seem a bit paranoid, scientist have been doing the very same thing for about a decade with the Millennium Seed Bank Project. Maintaining seeds in the event of a disaster is not only reason for storing heirloom varieties.

In 2002 the soy plant industry was in danger of a catastrophic disaster because of the destructive Cyst Nematode. A Russian seed bank in St. Petersburg was able to provide soy bean seeds resistant to the Nematode and thereby saving the soy industry.

As of 2009, there are dozens of countries that maintain seed banks containing extinct and non-extinct heirloom variety seeds to preserve the food supply.

Having the ability to plant a full acre crisis garden in the event of an emergency could be the difference between your family eating or going hungry in a disaster. Storing a survival seed bank and planning a crisis garden should be a part of every persons disaster readiness plan. Much like storing food, water, batteries, and other survival gear, a seed bank should also be included with your home emergency items.

There is a push going on right now in many countries that will have a drastic impact on our lives. The large corporations in a lot of different countries are trying to push for laws that would limit and even eliminate our choices on food.

In Canada, they are trying to pass Bill C51. This bill is designed to look like it is protecting the citizens, but if you can get through the legalize, you will find that it is trying to limit the production of natural products. The bill does not limit to natural health products, but all natural products. If it is determined that a seed for carrots is deemed unhealthy it will be pulled from the market, and anyone still growing it can be fined.

Sounds ridiculous, but it is what they are trying to do.

In the United States, they are trying to pass bill H.R.875. This bill is to be presented to congress. It is being presented in the same light as Bill C51 in Canada. It discusses the need for better control of food production and to ensure it is safe for people. What they don't tell you is that Monsanto and Cargil are the writers of the bill. They are trying to push for the destruction of natural seeds and only allow genetically modified seeds.

There are already laws that do not require food labels to include all of the ingredients, or if it includes genetically modified food.

In India, there are laws that allow for the sale of only certain types of seeds. A farmer can not choose the seed they wish to use. They can only buy seed that is deemed healthy by the government. The thing we are not told is that the seeds that are deemed healthy are all genetically modified seeds. This is not all seeds, but the companies are constantly lobbying for more laws to be passed that would introduce more genetically modified seeds into the books.

Mexico is in a battle right now to stop the introduction of modified corn seeds into their country. With NAFTA in place they are under a lot of pressure from the US and Canadian Governments to change their laws and allow these seeds to be grown. At this time Mexican corn farmers do not need to use pesticides or fertilizers to have abundant crops. If the use of genetically modified seeds are allowed, then the only way they will grow is if the use of chemicals are also introduced.

The worst part of the introduction of genetically modified foods is that there is proof that it is not as healthy, and in fact can cause disease. It literally robs the nutrients from the soil to the point that if chemicals are not used, nothing can grow.

We are being tricked by our governments and by the large corporations to think that they are looking out for our best interests, but don't be fooled. The only thing they are concerned with is their pocket books.

Helping others, help themselves.

Make money on Internet
Having an Organic Home

Most seeds sold at garden centers and department stores are hybrid seed. These produce a plant that if the seeds are saved will not reproduce the same plant as it's parent plant. They are generally bred in an open pollinated environment, through a hybrid cross and genetically modified. To reproduce the same plant year after year you want it to be open pollinated.

Open pollinated seed saving is the oldest methods in gardening or agriculture itself. Heirloom seeds are open pollinated. When they are planted, a population of open pollinated plants that are of a like variety of the parent plant and pollen from other varieties that are within just distance will aid in the pollination process. The seeds from these plants can be saved for replanting and the variety will generally improve as it adapts to your area.

Hybridization is when a technical method is applied to two open pollinated varieties that are growing side by side. This is to insure that the seeds will receive pollen from it's companion plant to develop a distinct variety. This method is done many different ways, the most common being detasseling.

In this method of detsaaeling, usually three rows of the father breed of plant are planted and one of the mother in a continuous pattern. Then the mother rows are detasseled, this where they have their pollen removed. This ensures that any pollen they receive came from the father row of plants. The mother plant seeds are then harvested, this is known as an F1 or first generation hybrid. If the seed of the F1 hybrid were saved and grown as an open pollinated variety, the seed saved would be a F2 hybrid generation, and so on.

Open pollinated plants can be pollinated by other crops in your garden and have there genetics change in the garden. Location when planting this type of plants need some consideration. Peppers are a plant that will cross pollinate with other plants. This can cause your sweet peppers to cross pollinate with hot peppers if they are planted to close together.

Open pollination is a method of pollination that is preformed naturally by insects, birds, wind and nature.

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment. http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com/gardentoolsandsupplies.html

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

There are endless reasons that you should start your own organic garden. Vegetables grown in organic gardens are grown just the way nature intended them to be, rather than genetically modified and covered in poisons. Growing these fruits and vegetables organically has more benefits than most people care to realize. I've come up with five for this article, but I could really go on for days. See if any of these advantages interest you.

1.Great tasting food - The fresh food you grow in your organic garden will taste better than any of the pesticide-covered GMOs that you've been buying from the supermarket, and certainly better than any canned or frozen veggies you might be buying. Your strawberries will be sweeter and your tomatoes will be juicier. The fruits and vegetables in your grocery store are harvested and dying for days before you get them. The food you grow will be alive and kicking right up until you decide to pluck it and add it to dinner and you will taste the difference.

2.Healthy food rich in antioxidants - We've all heard the recent buzz about antioxidants and their role in preventing cancer. Studies have shown that organic fruits and vegetables contain more antioxidants than their supermarket counterparts. Not only that, but they will also be void of all the harmful pesticides and chemicals used in the the growth of those other foods. This means you'll be ingesting less toxins and more powerful antioxidants just by eating from your own organic garden.

3.Saving money - As I write this article we are in the midst of a recession. Food prices are rising and eating healthy has become more costly than ever. There are some start-up costs to setting up your garden, but the money you save at the grocery store will offset these costs possibly in your first season of gardening! From then on, your garden is set up and ready for each year, your vegetables are providing you with free seeds, and a lot of the substances used as organic fertilizer can be found for free or extremely cheap.

4.Composting - In the United States, food scraps and yard trimmings make up 24% of all municipal solid waste that ends up in landfills. By composting these scraps and trimmings you will not only be reducing pollution, saving landfill space and reducing rubbish costs, but you'll also be saving money that you might spend on organic fertilizers. When you begin composting your food scraps you will be absolutely amazed at how much lighter your trash bags become.

5.Exercise - No one said it would be easy! Organic gardening does take a fair bit of work. It is true that many gardens can be almost left alone completely, but once you being working on your own private organic garden you will develop a sense of pride and ownership over it. Your garden will become your "baby" and you will want to spend your time perfecting it and getting everything just right. I personally see this as a benefit to owning a garden. I spend more time outside in the fresh air getting exercise and being productive and at the end of it all the food that I am responsible for just tastes that much better. Not to mention that all the vegetables and exercise have helped me drop a few pounds!

If any of these benefits to organic gardening that I've listed seem interesting to you, I suggest that you check out this site that got me introduced to organic gardening and start your own garden today!

"Desperate maladies require desperate remedies"

French Proverb

There are times when we have so much to do, that work is no longer fun. We start to feel a bit panicky and desperate inside. We all get these feelings from time to time.

To counter these feelings I've come up with a practical way to help you take control of your situation.

I've called the process DESPERATE.

Each letter in the acronym represents one of the nine areas for focus to keep you at the top of your game.

Before you ask, I do not profess to be perfect in any of these areas myself, and would fail the "do as I say, don't do as I do" test. That said ,they have helped me improve my own work life dramatically and I'm sure they can help you too.

Just give them a go, you desperate people.

(It does not pay to be rude to your audience, sorry about that, just got a bit over enthusiastic there)

So lets go through them:-

D is for Desk Organisation ------------------------------

"Order is humans first law" Alexander Pope 1688 - 1744

If you want a stress free work life one of the first places to focus your energies on is sorting your desk. If we are being totally honest with ourselves, most peoples' desks are full of clutter with out of date and irrelevant information. Yes, that means me, you and the person next to you. We waste time searching for information. We waste time picking up things ,reviewing them and then putting them back down, without actually doing anything. A cluttered desk leads to clutter thinking and sloppy personal performance.

A great tactic is to apply the 3S's to your own workspace. Sort, Straighten and Sustain. We need to remove all of the items from our desk and then decide what we actually need and what we don't need.

We then need to maintain our desk so that we only have information relevant to the current task on hand. The final tip is to only do one piece of work at a time, complete it, as planned, and then put it way and prepare for the next task. Easier said than done. Absolutely.

E is for E-mail ----------------

Here are 3 ways that you can immediately improve your work life around e-mail.

1. Turn off your e-mail pop up. When that sound informs you both visually and audibly that you "have mail". Guess what. We immediately stop what we are doing, and open up our e-mail program to read our new mail.

We are e-mail monkeys.

Do it now. Turn the alert off. The world will not suddenly end, and you will be far more focused, productive and stress free.

2. Check your e-mail only twice a day. Say 12pm and 4pm.Don't check your e-mail first thing. You will only get distracted. Instead start the day with your biggest challenge and get it out of the way. That report you need to write; that information you need to pull together for your boss.

3.Use an auto responder to acknowledge e-mails and tell people when you will be reading them. Most of us don't have a problem using auto responders when we are away from the office, so why not use them when we are in the office.

It could be something like this:------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hi there,

Thanks for your e-mail. I check my e-mail messages twice a day at 12pm and 4pm.

If you require an immediate response please call me on:-

Tel: Mobile:

Thanks,

Bill Smith

P. s. I've found this approach helps me, to help you, by getting more done.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

S is for Systems ----------------Use a systems approach in your work life wherever possible. Try to create systems for routine tasks, so that you don't have to think about them.

Don't waste time by doing routine tasks slightly differently each time. Set up simple procedures that work for you, and then use them.

Let me give you an example. In my office I've set up a system for storing all of my hard copy information. All of my hard copy information is stored by main subject and then by sub subject. Each main subject is colour coded and the information is stored in envelope files, in clear box containers, on open shelves that can be easily accessed. I don't allow the individual files to get too big. That's part of my system. This system allows me to see all of the information at a glance without having to open anything. The other simple part of the system is that I put back information into the left hand side of the box; that way, I know that the most current piece of information that I've been using, is always on the left hand side and it is generally the bit I need.

The point is not the system. The point is,that I've actually created a "system" that works for me. It took a bit of time to set up. I had to purchase the right type of storage ,decide on categories, decide on colour coding, decide on the maximum file size, decide on my storage criteria and storage system.

Ooh aren't you a wee clever clogs, why don't you take a bow and give yourself a big pat on the back.

No I'm not saying that.

What I am saying is that by creating a "system" I've made one part of my work life easier.

So the bottom line is try and create "systems" for yourself using the lean principles. It does take time and effort ,but that time and effort will repay you in spades.

P is for Prioritise -------------------

This idea comes from Stephen Covey. There are basically four categories that work tasks can fall under.

Category 1 Urgent and Important e.g. Deadlines on projects Category 2 Non Urgent and Important e.g. Developing new opportunities Category 3 Not Important and Urgent e.g Some meetings you attend Category 4 Not Important and Not Urgent e.g. Surfing the internet without a purpose

To improve your work life you need to think about all of the things that you do and decide which category they fall under. If you find you are spending a lot of time on Category 3 and 4 items then it's time to think again about what you are up to.

To improve your work life you really need to prioritise completing Category 1 and 2 items with an emphasis on Category 2.Often Category 2 items become Category 1 because we have not paid enough attention to them.

E is the Eighty twenty rule ------------------------------

Simply put, there is a true ism that seems to hold water for many situations.80% of our results come from 20% of our inputs i.e. there is 20% of our work life where we are really effective at what we do.That 20% of effort creates 80% of our results. If we can identify that 20%, guess what, we can become even more effective by doing more of it. Simply put, concentrate your efforts on the things that you do well and that make you happy in your work life. Examine the 80% of you work life where you are potentially not being as effective as you could be .

R is for Review the day --------------------------

Take some time at the end of each day to review how things have gone. What did you achieve? Could you have achieved more? What went well? What went not so well. Write them down and keep a diary. Create a will do list for the next day so that you are ready to start with a bang.

A is for Avoid negative people ----------------------------------

Make a conscience effort to avoid negative people. We all know them. It seems to be a particularly United Kingdom thing. There are just some people who have been genetically modified to include a moan gland. "That will never work". "We have tried that before". "Why should I do it, it's not like I'm going to get paid any more".

If you know people like that just avoid them. If you do need to get them involved here is a technique that I learned about from Jack Black, the personal development coach in his book "Mindstore".

The basic idea is this. If you are dealing with someone particularly negative, you imagine a large glass bubble coming down over you, to protect you from their negativity. You can still talk to them but their negative comments just bounce off the bubble and don't get through to you. Negative people can be really exhausting.I'm not suggesting here that you ignore practical constructive criticism. That is important and useful. I'm talking about the type of people who are always moaning and never have a good word to say about anything or anyone. You do have a choice. Just avoid them.

T is for Timer ---------------

What I am about to suggest to you may at first sound a little awkward. Please bare with me, as if you take this next idea on board I believe it will really help you. Just keep it between you and me and everything will be fine.

Hold on. Here I go. Clench your teeth.

Go out and buy yourself a small kitchen timer. You the know the type.

A small discrete digital one.

Ok, Ross you have really lost it now. You are asking me to go out and buy small domestic kitchen appliances.

I purchased one and it has really helped me.

Has it improved my cooking? No.

Has it made my work life more organised and stress free? Yes.

Let me explain

You block out some time in your diary for a specific task. You are not going to allow yourself to be distracted during that "protected time".You have given yourself just enough time to complete the task. You set the timer to the amount of time you have allocated. You prepare your work area for the specific task. You press the start button. And your off and running.

It is amazing how adding this challenging time element adds a bit of self competition and focuses your mind.

Not exactly the same thing, but I remember how using this time element in dealing with a specific task gave me a wee adrenalin rush when I was away on business. I was staying in a hotel and I had an e-mail to get out to a client with an important attachment. This was the first time I had gone "wireless".

Prior to this I had used the cocoa tins and string approach

Anyway, I signed up to buy internet access from the hotel.

At that time they were asking a kings ransom for the privilege of using the worldwide web .Being from north of the border (Scotland) I signed up for the minimum of 30 minutes. Don't you just love the blatant use of stereotypes. I had only 5 minutes left as I pressed the send e-mail button. The e-mail and attachment loaded up and started to be transmitted. As I sat in the foyer of the hotel with my laptop on my knee, I honestly felt like James Bond. The codes to disarm the madmans' plans were being transmitted .Would I save the world? My e-mail completed transmission with literally 10 seconds to go.

I had saved the world from destruction.

Ok, I had not actually saved the world from destruction.

I had just sent an e-mail.

The main point is that the use of the 30 minute clock had really added a bit of spice to the task.

I would be lying if I said I used my timer from the start of the day till the end. What I do find it really useful for is adding focus to specific important tasks throughout the day.Try it yourself.

E is for Enthusiasm ----------------------

I genuinely think that enthusiasm is one of the most important things that you can posses if you want to make your work life stress free. If you treat every task with enthusiasm then it becomes just a whole lot easier.

Let me give you an example. Much as I believe that all of the people at Her Majesties Customs and Excise Office are very nice people, filling in my VAT return every quarter was not my favourite task.

It did not get my heart racing. So what did I decide to do.I set myself a goal of finding a better, easier and quicker way to do the return. This in turn created (ok I'm not going to over egg this) a bit of a sense of enthusiasm for the task.

Over several months I have found ways to refine and improve the process and now I have a simple system that is really straightforward .If I had not created a bit of enthusiasm for improving this task I would be still be sitting be-moaning and grudging my time being used to fill in VAT returns.

Obviously the fact that you are reading this article suggests you are probably already a very enthusiastic individual.

Not all of the tasks that we have to do in our work lives are ones we love.

Here are a couple of ideas to help you generate some enthusiasm for them.

Pretend you are doing the task for your best friend who you would hate to let down.

Set yourself a challenge on how quickly and efficiently you can complete the task. Try and improve on it every time you do the task. Once you have refined it, document it, and then try to automate it as much as possible so that you can spend time on the things that you do love to do.

Summary -----------

So if you are ever feeling a bit desperate, use these desperate ideas to help you.

Even just focusing on one of these could make a big difference in creating a better work life for you.

The author Graham Ross is a professional Lean facilitator

http://www.leankaizen.co.uk

Psychologists believe fear is hardwired into all mammals, and is the most potent emotion. We evolved fear as a basic survival method. . The brain's fear circuitry resides in a structure called the amygdala: the deepest, most instinctive part of the brain, and because of this it elicits the strongest physical reaction in us. When we confront a perceived danger, our bodies respond with sweating, increased heart rate and high adrenaline levels ("fight or flight") in which the body prepares for combat or to run very far and very fast away from the danger - very useful if you're a caveman suddenly eye to eye with a saber-toothed tiger. This is such a deep-set reaction that our brains stop thinking, literally putting all our energy into fueling our reaction (which is why you feel you lose the ability to speak coherently when you're locked into a conflict at work with a boss or colleague: it's your body's reaction to a threatening situation). It's only when the immediate situation is resolved in some way and the threat disappears, that our breathing becomes more measured and we slowly return to normal. Fear makes your body do something without thinking.

Marketers spend their lives trying to find ways to get us to buy their products. When there were only a handful of brands in a category, you could easily persuade shoppers based on a product's attributes. Now that there's an average of 50,000 products in a supermarket, the stakes have been raised, and you have to work harder to convince shoppers.

History has shown us that fear is a powerful motivator, and you can use fear with a Stick or with a Carrot. The Emperors of Rome used the Gods to control the people, who lived in fear that Zeus would send down a lightning bolt down to strike them if they did anything that might displease him. Some people might argue that fear is the rock on which the Christian church has been built on, but unlike Zeus' thunderbolts (the stick) they created this magical, perfect place that you could go to if you were good enough (the carrot). Christ, as Jacques Seguela, the creator of Euro RSCG, famously said, was probably the first, and most successful, ad man, having created the longest surviving brand and logo.

Politicians have often used Fear Marketing to draw people to the voting booths. President Johnson's landslide victory in 1964 spoke to the increasing fear of nuclear warfare, with his notorious advertising campaign showing a nuclear explosion set against a young girl picking petals off a daisy: "These are the stakes! We must either love each other, or we must die. The stakes are too high for you to stay at home." Rudy Guiliani promised to stamp out fear; George Bush won a second term by inciting fear in any Middle East country he could name, and he did so well that we got all very, very scared.

Remember Y2K? How many people were driven to buying a new toaster or DVD player thinking that they would spontaneously combust at midnight? How the IT industry raked in the billions of dollars worth of contracts to reprogramme computers just in case entire corporate systems failed.

Fear Marketing capitalises on our desire to keep things as they are to persuade us to buy a certain product or service. Fear Marketing speaks to our inner paranoid, painting vivid pictures of the bad things that are going to happen is you fail to buy their product, as opposed to the good things that might happen if you do. It plays on what we most fear at a deep the deepest emotional level (death, loneliness, rejection, pain, loss), and then it offers a way to avoid what you most dread. And Fear Marketing has been proven to work. OnStar, which provides in-vehicle security in the US, doubled its members in two years compared to its competitor's 4% increase, after it ran a campaign with an actual recording of a little girl saying: "We've just had an accident and my Mom isn't moving. Please help!" So parents began thinking, what would happen if we had a crash, what if our daughter didn't have OnStar?

In this fear-enriched climate, of terrorism, of global economist melt-down and temperature warming, of swine flu, we are seeing an increase in Fear Marketing. If you look around you will find a number of brands capitalizing on and playing to consumers' heightened sense of anxiety. HSBC and Barclays have both sought to communicate how safe your money is in their hands (so not anyone else's), given their credentials of size and age. New insurance products are being developed so that you protect your summer holiday against redundancy. An event company is advertising its conference with a picture of a guy begging on the street with a little sign saying: "I used to be a marketing director, but I was TOO busy to go to the Advertising Week conference day."

But even in other categories you wouldn't expect, you can see elements of Fear Marketing. The Beauty industry invests billions in making us want to buy their products. Look carefully, and you see Fear Marketing messages. Anti-wrinkle creams warn us in subtle way about the consequences of not using their products; the reassuring scientific language has convinced the female population that they need to stay looking young otherwise they'll be passed over by the young, pretty thing next to them. You're only 'worth it' if you look like you've never aged since 25, and if you worship St L'Oreal you will avoid the purgatory of ugliness.

Clearasil plays to a teenager's fear of being ostracized by his peers for his spots. Lynx plays to men's fear that they aren't actually that attractive (let's be serious, a nice smell isn't going to help you, boys!). Fear Marketing in the parenting industry starts during pregnancy with a whole array of products and supplements that play against your fear that you won't be a good mother. And Fear Marketing strategies are being used by a number of food brands that point out that they aren't genetically modified, those don't use pesticides, have no artificial ingredients, all of which clearly suggest that everything else that you see on the shelf beside DOES.

So, what of those other brands that don't use Fear Marketing? Why is it that most brands only use happy, smiling people? Thinking about three of the happiest brands around, could they benefit from a little extra help from the Fear Marketing strategies? Innocent has revised its profit projections for this year. Could they sell more smoothies if they showed someone tired, run-down, disease-ridden, couch potatoes? Could Disney drive more people to their resorts by showing you the years of resentment that your children will no doubt bear towards you that you were never a good parent? And what about Weight Watchers? Instead of a newly slim 30 year-old trying on her favourite dress to go out to a party, you see her fat and alone on the sofa, eating crisps?

Now that you have been warned, be scared, be very scared. Unless you are obviously a marketer... and still in your job. A few things might have happened when you were reading this article. Check your email. Bad news travel fast.

Bianca Cawthorne is a Partner at April Strategy, a strategic marketing consultancy in London. Bianca is a brand strategy and innovation specialist, bringing together strategy and creativity to breathe new life into brands and categories. With an MA in Writing, she uses the art of Storytelling to find ways to make the message connect more deeply with its audience.

Organic bedding sheet sets are not only soft and silky, but also the finished cotton fabric is not treated with chemical dyes. This means that what is left is a beautiful natural color. They are made from 300 thread count single ply and single pick cotton. This cotton has traditionally has a jersey knit sleeping surface which is just like your favorite t-shirt. These sets come with SKAL 100% organic cotton certification.

The certification also guarantees that the cotton was not grown with genetically modified seeds, and the land was not exposed to any synthetic fertilizers or herbicides for a minimum of 3 years. The sheet sets are even package in biodegradable bags made from hemp and corn film. These sets are soured only. They are made to fit standard mattresses with depths up to 15" for Twin, Full and XL Twin sizes, the other queen and king sizes fit up to 18" mattress depths. The pillow cases fit standard queen pillow sizes. The color is of course a natural color.

The organic bedding can also be purchased with an optional mattress and pillow organic protector. The protector acts as stain and water proof barrier. These mattress protectors are 100% Certified Organic Cotton from a jersey knit material. They are known for their soft and comfortable feel which could be sufficient to be used as a sheet & pillowcase. They also come with SKAL 100% organic cotton certification. Like the sheet sets they also have an unbleached natural color. The waterproof polyurethane backing is made of all recycled materials and the packaging is biodegradable.

Zafer Aktas retailer and writer of Bedding sets and Organic bedding

Genetic engineering, gene cloning and protein engineering has enabled humans to make changes in the genetics of an organism and such an altered organism is called a "Genetically modified organism."

Genes from different organisms can be combined and this is known as recombinant DNA technology, and the resultant organism is called as "genetically modified," "genetically engineered," or "transgenic organism."

GMOs are produced by gene cloning; a foreign gene is introduced in a new organism. The new protein gets into the new environment and gives a new expression which enables the organism to demonstrate new characteristics.

Every new technological advancement is initially focused on the benefit of the human kind but with the passage of time a lot of controversies get attached to it, same is the case with these GMO's. Initially they were focusing on the beneficial aspects but as the time passed and they were tested and trialed there negative aspects also got into the lime light.

Benefits like more food, better taste, reduced maturation time and more nutrient intake in plants, and in animals better yields in eggs, milk and meat and also early maturation time are associated with GMO's. Issues concerning health, ethics, intellectual property rights and society are also attached to the usage of these organisms.

Different conspiracies are attached with these organisms, whether they are good or bad for the human health? Some lobbies take it as an interference with the work of nature, disturbing the natural cycle might result in a serious disorder affecting human lives.

The presence of GMO's in the food chain might introduce new allergens in the body or might result in disturbing the natural immunity against diseases and other foreign bodies. As it has always happened that when we disturb the nature, it strikes back, that's when the human beings try to undo what they've done, but it becomes impossible.

Introduction of microbes into the plants to inject a foreign protein in their anatomy has resulted in countless advantages for the human kind, excessively increasing the production levels, bringing more prosperity to the farmers. But the example of BT cotton is evident in explaining the whole phenomenon, as in the beginning the yields of this particular variety were huge but as the time passed, and the pathogens developed immunity against the variety, the damages were devastating.

A lot of debate is happening on these organisms along with a lot more research. Presently the methods might not be perfected or are in the way to perfection that's why a lot of anti lobbying is going on. But to deny the fact that the use of these organisms has brought only problems for human kind would be wrong, because they have also helped a lot in saving many precious human lives.

Looking for the seal of certified organic in everything we buy off the store shelves should be something that we should be doing every time we go shopping. Making sure that something is certified organic in skin care and our food protects us from dangerous man made chemicals and genetically modified organisms. These very things are harmful to our bodies and are possible causes of deadly diseases such as cancer and many related blood diseases.

The average woman puts 5 pounds of dangerous chemicals into her body per year that are not easily eliminated. Statistics have revealed that a common "natural preservative", methl-paraben was repeatedly found in breast cancer patients. These so called "natural" ingredients are not allowed in certified organic products, but are used widely and often, in natural and organic toothpastes, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and too many more to mention.

Another reason why we should be looking for that seal of certified organic in and on the products we purchase, is because there is no allowance for genetically modified organisms, which are also very harmful to our bodies once on our skin or ingested. When something is genetically modified and allowed into our bodies via topically or internally, it of course, breaks apart in digestion and is proven, in most cases, to be the cause of many allergic reactions.

So remember the next time when you head down to your local grocery market or health food store, to look for the seal approval of certified organic in and on your products. It just may very well prevent your body from developing these deadly diseases that we all fear for ourselves and our children.

Daina Wiebe is an active nutritional researcher regarding the health and wellness of people and our earth. To learn more about her and who she represents please visit http://www.organicallyabundant.com

Lets all work together to help better our planet and our health by supporting the suppliers around the world that are trying to make our world a better place.

The average perception of a honeybee is the insect that has five eyes, two wings, and makes honey. What many people fail to realize is that honeybees have a lot more to them then these simple assumptions. For example they were brought here from Europe in the 1600's, and since then honeybees have become widespread across North America and are bred commercially for their abilities to produce honey. The major reason honeybees are important is because they pollinate approximately 130 agricultural crops in the U.S. including fruit, fiber, nuts, and vegetable crops. Unfortunately for us the honeybee population has hit a major decline in the U.S. and elsewhere. This major population decline is signaling an environmental imbalance which can lead to a devastating blow to our food supply. In fact Albert Einstein once was quoted saying, "if something eliminated the honeybees from our planet, mankind would soon perish". While there may be many different reasons attributing to the decline of the honey bee, there are a few theories that stood out.

Colony Collapse Disorder, which is the proper term coined for the disappearance of bees, may be occurring because of the brutal methods of beekeeping and the increase in the number of beekeepers. The bees are put under a lot of stress during this process, for example being filled up in large trucks and crisscrossing all over the country seeking pollination work. These bees may be suffering from the effects of an unhealthy diet that includes a diet of food similar to power bars and energy drinks to get them to perform longer and harder.

Many believe that our increasing use of chemical pesticides and herbicides, which honeybees ingest during their daily pollination rounds, are largely to blame. Another leading suspect is genetically modified crops, which may generate pollen with compromised nutritional value. It may be pollen from genetically modified crops and chemicals that have tipped the balance of the colonies leading to the collapse of bee populations. This theory is credible by the fact that organically raised bees, which are not subjected to genetically modified crops and chemicals, are not undergoing the Colony Collapse Disorder that the other bees are experiencing.

Some researchers are targeting the cell phone towers that are rapidly being put up, which causes atmospheric electromagnetic radiation, as a reason for this colony collapse. The hypothesis is that the radiation being omitted through the towers and mobile phones may be interfering with the bees' form of navigation. This information is credible because research has shown that when cell phones are placed near a hive the bees would not return there. Research is currently underway in the U.S. to determine the extent of the effects of such radiation on bees and other insect populations.

Global warning may add to the colony collapse disorder, through accelerating growths of mites and fungi that have been known to take over entire bee colonies. Also, the strange change in weather patterns may be throwing off the colonies because the colonies are used to more steady weather patterns.

One not commonly used theory is that of the Honeybee rapture. This is a term coined by Christians, meaning that this is just one more step to the return of Christ. The bible speaks of a great famine in the last days in Rev. 6:5-6, Has the third seal already been opened on the book Jesus is given in Revelation 5:1, and is this honey bee disappearance evidence that the seven seals on the book are preparations for the seven year tribulation period rather than judgments inside the tribulation period?

Although there are many theories as to why colony collapse disorder is occurring, recent meeting of leading bee biologists yielded no answers, but most agree that a combination of factors is likely to blame. "We're going to see a lot of money poured into this problem," says University of Maryland entomologist Galen Dively, one of the nation's leading bee researchers. He reports that the federal government plans an allocation of $80 million to fund research in connection with CCD. "What we're looking for," Dively says, "is some commonality which can lead us to a cause." In conclusion this phenomenon occurring in our lifetime is as real as it was when Albert Einstein predicted it all those years ago. If something is not done immediately with this problem not only may we be affected, but our children, and our children's children could be going through what may be the most devastating famine our world has ever seen.

Samantha Smullen

The US has several organizations which are responsible for the safety of food products including the USDA, the FDA,the CDC and the EPA. As is typical with most agencies they are underfunded, understaffed and don't communicate with each other.

Recent food poisoning outbreaks have shone a light into the world of food inspections and public safety. The plant responsible for the peanut butter recall did not even have a state health department permit, a fact which went unnoticed during the 3 inspections by the USDA certified Texas Department of Agriculture.

Peanuts, Jalapenos, Spinach, Beef, Tomatoes. The list goes on and on. The answer for some appears to be HR875 which is a bill currently being rushed through congress. Also known as the Food Safety Modernization Bill of 2009 it effectively creates a new agency with extensive powers to enforce federal guidelines taking away the power from individual states. It's reach is seemingly limitless affecting small farmers and producers through its new definition of food production facilities which can be applied to almost anything including your back yard vegetable garden.

By standardizing food production procedures to factory farming methods they will automatically force out smaller organic producers who are not able either financially or morally to comply. This will leave the public no options as to how they choose their meat, dairy, produce etc.

So who stands to benefit from this bill ? Probably the Monsantos, Tysons and Cargills of this world who probably had more than a helping hand in its creation. What could be more standardized than genetically modified food? Designer seeds with designer pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers? Patented animals? The possible financial rewards for these companies is hard to even imagine. In 2007 Monsanto had over $1B in sales of Posilac the only rGBH product allowed in the US by the FDA but banned in Canada and Europe. The failure of our food agencies is obvious. We allow additives and adulterants in our food that means we are unable to sell our products abroad yet we are about to punish the only people who still grow their food the way nature intended it.

This article was written by Jon Whitehead a parent and concerned citizen

For more articles about the state of our food nation please visit me at http://www.captaincooksblog.com