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Become a Local Yokel!
Did you know that when you shop at local businesses and establishments more than 70% of the dollars you spend stay in the local economy? Dollars spent on locally produced items, or in local shops, contribute to schools, police and fire departments through local taxes. Additionally, your money goes towards wages for local staff members, income for local business services, and investments in community social programs. In contrast, if you spend $100 at a non-locally owned business, only $43 will stay in the local economy. 57% of your dollars will leave your community to go towards purchasing supplies, inventory and businesses services from non local suppliers.
Michael H. Shuman, author of Going Local writes that “going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages, and serve primarily local customers.” Shuman also mentions that shopping locally helps to bring control from corporate boardrooms back to the community where it belongs. Supporting local businesses helps to assure that community members will have jobs and a source of income. Additionally, with more community members’ working locally, the environmental impact of their commuting is lessened.
Becoming more environmentally sustainable is becoming more and more important to many concerned citizens. Shopping local is one of the best ways to help protect our environment because your goods are traveling considerably shorter distances to reach you. This means less carbon released into the environment through shipment. Additionally, local manufacturers tend to be...
The Idiot Cycle
Watch the Video Here
With the help of the public, JPS Films has decided to transfer the rights of the award-winning documentary The Idiot Cycle into the public domain. The film outlines the links between the chemical, GMO and cancer industries.
What does this mean? If the film is in the public domain, anyone, anywhere can distribute, copy, share and screen the film because it will belong to the public.
Because The Idiot Cycle was made with no commercial partnerships of any kind, no state funding and no distributor or television broadcaster, JPS Films financed the film completely independently. This was done to avoid financial conflicts of interest from anyone with agricultural, medical or other direct interests from swaying the content of the film.
But because JPS Films bears the financial responsibility of the film alone, they need to reimburse what they owe before the film can be transferred into the public domain (the director and producers were not and will not be paid for their work and the revenue the film has already generated has been deducted from the total owed).
If you make a $20 contribution or more, you will be emailed a private-use download of the film (emailed 1-2 days after your contribution). If you donate more, there are perks. If 7,500 people donate $25 each, the film will make it into the public domain.
If the fundraising goal is NOT REACHED, everyone is refunded their contribution AND everyone gets to keep the perk that corresponds to their contribution (JPS Films retains the copyright)....
Seasonal guide to produce in British Columbia
For the traveling food lover visiting local farmers markets with fresh-from-the-field fruit and vegetables grown in the region and in season is usually worth a visit. Even if you do not need to buy anything browsing the stalls with their vibrant colours, shadowy shapes and lively chatter, accepting free samples of fruits and cheeses when offered can be a great way to while away a few hours. You may even end up buying a few items and enjoying a simple, impromptu picnic lunch.
This guide is a sampling of what fruits and vegetables one can typically find at our markets and roadside stands. When using this guide to find out when your favourite fruits and vegetables should be fresh, ripe and have all the best flavours, keep in mind that these dates can vary by a few weeks from year to year depending on the weather.
January: Apples, Cabbage, Onions (red & yellow), Parsips, Pears, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Turnips, Winter Squash.
February: Apples, Cabbage, Onions (yellow), Parsnips, Pears, Rosemary, Sage, Turnips.
March: Apples, Onions (yellow), Parsnips, Pears, Rosemary, Sage.
April: Chives, Kale, Pears, Radishes, Rhubarb, Rosemary, Sage, Spinach.
May: Asparagus, Chives, Kale, New Potatoes, Onions (green), Parsleys, Radishes, Rhubarb, Rosemary, Sage, Spinach, Turnips.
June: Asparagus, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cherries, Chives, Cilantro, English Peas, Fennel (bulb), Garlic (fresh), Gooseberries, Green Onions, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard greens, New Potatoes, Parsleys, Peas, Radishes, Rhubarb (field), Rosemary, Sage, Salad Greens, Saskatoon berries, Shallots, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Thyme, Turnips, Zucchini.
July: Apricots, Basil, Beans (fresh), Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower,...
Saw palmetto reduces sexual dysfunction in BPH patients
From BioForce the maker of Sabalasan
Click for product information.
Study objective The slowly progressive enlargement of the prostate in elderly men, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), constricts the urethra, causing discomfort and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This also significantly increases the risk of sexual dysfunction (SDys), even more than in diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or hyperlipidemia. Existing synthetic medications for BPH like alpha-blockers or 5-alphareductase inhibitors cause additional SDys. Saw palmetto extract (Serenoa repens) is a well-established treatment for mild to moderate BPH. In a first-ever clinical trial, the therapeutic effects of a saw palmetto preparation (Sabalasan® Prostate 1) on both LUTS and SDys in patients with BPH were studied. Authors Andreas Suter, Medical department, A.Vogel Bioforce AG, Roggwil, Switzerland; Prof. Dr. Reinhard Saller, Institute of Natural Medicine, Zurich University Hospital, Switzerland; Dr. Eugen Riedi, Urological practice, Chur, Switzerland; Prof. Dr. Michael Heinrich, School of Pharmacy, University of London, University College London, United Kingdom. Plant extract used The study preparation was a lipophilic saw palmetto berry extract with a daily dosage of one capsule, containing 320 mg extract (Sabalasan® Prostate 1, drug extraction ratio 9-12:1, ethanol 96% V/V), organically grown and manufactured by A.Vogel Bioforce (Roggwil, Switzerland). Study design Patients experiencing at least moderate BPH symptoms (both obstructive and irritative) and sexual problems (like erectile dysfunction or lack of libido) for at least two months were recruited from two urological and four general practices in Switzerland to participate in this pilot trial. The open, multicentre, clinical study had a total duration of 9 weeks...
Great Edible Adventures
by Jessie Roder, the owner/operator of Wildcraft Permaculture.
As seen in the debut issue of the Eco Parent Magazine.
There is food all around us. Whether you live in the city or the country, in a house or an apartment, you have access to way more fresh healthy food than you think. I divide this into two categories: A) food you grow with foresight, and B) food that grows voluntarily or on public land. For category A you might be picturing tomatoes, lettuce, or herbs. For category B you may not have a clue, or maybe you think of raspberries or Saskatoon berries. This is a good start but there are so many more possibilities! Lucky for you we’re going to get into some of them in the next couple of pages.
Have you noticed the word locavore being thrown around in the last few years? It refers to people who prefer to purchase food that was grown close to home. They do this for a number of reasons including greater nutritional value and taste, reduced environmental footprint, support for the local economy, and the sense of community that comes with a direct connection to the producer. You can cultivate your inner locavore by shopping at farmer’s markets, making farm gate purchases, becoming a member of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) venture, or growing more of your own food. How much more local can it get than from your own backyard or community garden? How much fresher than when it was picked minutes ago?...
Danger of GMO apple coming to the Okanagan…act now!
Letter on GM Apple from Similkameen Okanagan Organic Treefruit Growers
Fred Danenhower, President, Similkameen Okanagan Organic Treefruit Growers Association, Cawston, BC
I am writing this letter as president of the Similkameen Okanagan Organic Treefruit Growers Association regarding the CFIA application GD 743 and GS 784 – the request for approval of the sale/distribution of the Arctic tree/apple. We request that the following points be considered in evaluating it.
Loss of Organic Production
The inevitable measureable impact of the “Arctic” apple on the local economy will be a loss of at least $4,000,000 annually. Because of cross-pollination [bees fly as much as 4 miles from a hive], organic producers will not get certification. This will cost organic tree fruit growers in the Okanagan-Similkameen (based on 16,000 bins of apple production) $2,500,000 in revenue annually . The Cawston Cold Storage Packinghouse will close: they cannot remain open running just soft fruit, costing local jobs and eliminating a payroll approaching $1,500,000. Next to School District #53, CCS is the biggest employer in the Similkameen. It is unclear, whether the other two organic packing sheds, Harkers and Organics Plus can stay open but in any scenario the loss of organic apples will result in job cuts. The total impact on the economy, the loss to suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, truckers, local business, is hard to gauge but will be in the millions.
Loss to Conventional Growers
Once the Arctic tree is planted out, an orchardist growing any variety of apple other than the Arctic will be affected because of cross-pollination. It...
Ten ways to use Apple Cider Vinegar
1. Balance your inner ecosystem: The body constantly strives to achieve a state of homeostasis, or a state of equilibrium. One way is by keeping the body’s pH balance (or acid-base balance) within the normal range of 7.35 – 7.45. Apple cider vinegar helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level. Research shows that higher acid levels (lower pH level) leads to a lack of energy, excessive production of mucous and higher incidences of infection, among other things.
2. Detoxes the body: As part of balancing the body’s pH, apple cider vinegar is useful in overall detoxification of the body. Research shows that it can help stimulate cardiovascular circulation and help detoxify the liver. It also helps break up mucous throughout the body and helps cleanse the lymph nodes.
3. Weight loss: Tired of the “fad” diets that do more damage to your wallet than your excess fat cells? Try boosting your intake of apple cider vinegar. Data shows some limited, albeit significant, weight loss benefits from sustained daily intake of acetic acid (which is prevalent in apple cider vinegar). In one study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry in 2009, it was found that subjects who consumed acetic acid for 12 weeks experienced significant declines in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference and triglycerides.
4. Cures: Allergies: Believe it or not, research suggests that apple cider vinegar can help reduce the effect of allergies on your body, mostly by reducing mucous and sinus congestion. A sign of a distressed immune system is...
Healthy Summer Tips
From Dr. Krista Ingram, ND
Summer has arrived! This is the season to get outside, enjoy the outdoors, eat up all those fresh fruits and vegetables, and soak up some sunshine. For this month’s article I thought I’d touch on a few summer-related topics.
Sunscreens
Smart sun-time is important, especially for us in southern BC, where it is tempting to want to bask in the sun for endless hours, to make up for the sunlight we missed from November to April! Sunscreen has become a staple for most of us in the summer, however there is some evidence that our heavy use of sunscreen is contributing to low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to our health, and is produced in our skin when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It is actually good for us to have at least 15 minutes per day of sun exposure to our skin. This amount of time can produce up to 10,000 IU of vitamin D. However, this is not to say that we should throw away our sunscreen altogether. On the contrary, overexposure to the sun’s rays can cause skin cancer, cataracts and significant skin damage. Get your 15-20 minutes of sun exposure in the morning or later in the afternoon, when the sun is not so high in the sky (as it is between 10am and 2pm). Wear sunscreen when you have to be out mid-day, and be sure to wear a hat, long sleeves, and try to spend some time...
