9 Easy Ways to Avoid GMOs

Farmers market (NatalieMaynor, CC BY 2.0)

Genetically modified foods are in our food supply. But we can’t really be sure exactly where because here in the U.S. there are no labeling requirements on GMOs. However, knowing how to avoid GMOs can happen. In fact, there are some easy steps you can take to avoid GMOs fairly confidently.

Until GMO labeling is enforced in the U.S. no plan short of growing everything you eat can be 100 percent, and that’s not a reality for most of us. So, these steps are a great starting point to having more control over your food.

1. Know the common culprits: Corn, soy, canola, sugar beets, cotton (seed oil), conventional crookneck squash and zucchini and Hawaiian papayas are among the most common genetically modified foods. When it comes to the first two ingredients on this list—corn and soy—derivatives of these ingredients can take on many names and appear in hundreds of foods.

2. Read labels: Not just some of the time, not just on new items, but every time. Brands change and add ingredients and if you weren’t clear before on GMO culprits, it’s worth revisiting every label on every food.

(Shutterstock*)

3. Buy 100% Organic: Believe it or not, some products can bear the USDA organic seal and not be fully organic. The main ingredients may be truly organic, but flavors, preservatives and other “minor” ingredients may not be.

4. Look for Non-GMO Project verified foods: That little logo means the product has been third-party verified to be GMO-free.

5. Watch out for the word ‘Non-GMO': Aside from the Non-GMO label just mentioned above, some brands will call out non-GMO ingredients, such as corn in corn chips. But, like mentioned about the organic label, that little claim about one ingredient is no guarantee that there aren’t other genetically modified ingredients in your food.

6. Look for alcohol and vinegar: Love vanilla extract or a store-bought salad dressing? Guess what. Yep, they likely contain alcohol and vinegar made from GMO corn. You can easily make your own vanilla extract using organic vodka and craft up some tasty salad dressing recipes from organic apple cider, balsamic or red wine vinegar, GMO-free. Alcohol is a common ingredient in personal care products, cleaning products and herbal tinctures as well. Look for organic or make your own.

7. Invest in organic cotton products: Whether it’s a Q-tip, a towel or your favorite pair of socks, if it’s not made from organic cotton, it’s most likely genetically modified. Organic cotton items can be more expensive, but they’re far better for your health and much healthier for the planet. Conventional cotton uses more insecticides than any other crop.

8. Cook more: GMOs lurk in processed foods. While not all processed foods contain GMOs, one very simple way to avoid them is to cook more. From scratch. With whole foods. Not only do you have more control over the health of the ingredients (processed foods are also hotbeds for loads of other unhealthy ingredients like excessive sodium, sugar, artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners) but you also have the benefit of being more directly involved in your food.

9. Eat fewer animal products: While genetically modified animals are not yet in our food supply (GMO fish might be soon, though), conventionally raised animals are routinely fed diets high in genetically modified alfalfa, corn and soy. Skip the meat, eggs and dairy, or make sure you purchase yours from a certified organic source.

Harmful Effects of Synthetic Milk And Preventions From Synthetic Milk

http://www.hyperoffers.com/bread-dairy-eggs/dairy-products/milk.html

Thanks to Author: Ashish Kumar                          

The fears about synthetic milk

A peculiar type of uneasiness pervades the people these days pertaining to the matter of synthetic/artificial milk. This milk has headed its journey from cities to villages now. On one side, India is considered to the largest milk producing country while on the other side, it is becoming notoriously famous to have become the first ever country to produce synthetic/artificial milk.

The massive production of synthetic milk

According to one estimated report, every day, production and sale of approximately 1.10 crores litres of milk of synthesised milk is taking place in the different states of our country. Enough news have been pouring about its production and sale in a massive scale from the western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and in Gwalior and also from the Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh. From one study of an Ahmadabad based Consumer education and research society it has been found that different types of harmful bacteria have been found from 31 popular milk brands in the different parts of the country which cause serious damaging consequences. It is a fait accompli now that mixing of deadly chemicals has become the order of the day in so far so as that even the government controlled is not untouched from this unprofessional conduct. 
India is NO.1. milk producing country

According to Indian Medical Research Council, consumption of 250 grams of milk and milk products has been considered to be healthy. After independence, in India, since the 1970, after the significant success in its different stages of the "white revolution operation flood" by the IDDB (Indian Dairy Development Corporation), there have been phenomenal increases in the production of milk and its various products. 
Whereas, the milk production in the country in 1950-51 was 1.80 crore tonnes, it is estimated to have increased in 2010-11 to 10 times since catapulting India in the No1 position amongst the field of milk production leaving past America far behind in the race. We have become self dependent in the milk producing area. 
But unfortunately, despite becoming self dependent and the massive increase in the production of milk, illicit production of the synthetic milk has emerged as the biggest problem to the milk producing industry. As a result of which, the confidence of the general consumers is waning from the dairy industry. People are now reluctant to consume the dairies products. It is of paramount importance to soon find the the solutions to this raging problem, since the dairy industry occupies an important place in the Indian rural economy and attached with the industry are crores of milk producing farmers including the consumers as well. 
What is synthetic milk

From the natural milk received from cows and buffaloes, cream, butter and fat are separated from the cream separator machine. To make this milk (left over milk after so sparated from all its nutrients) again creamy and foggy, urea, detergent, caustic soda, starch oil, , glucose, shampoo, white paint, hydrogen peroxide etc are mixed to prepare synthetic milk. Using this milk is highly poisonous. Even skimmed milk powder is not spared which also is mixed with all the above injurious materials. Chalk and calcium soil is used to increase the quantity of milk.
Harms caused by the use of synthetic milk

According to physicians, use of synthetics milk inflicts very serious harms on human body causing swelling in the eyes and complications in lever and kidney. Apart from this, synthetic milk proves deadly for pregnant women and patients suffering from conditions of heart ailment and high blood pressure. What is worse is that this synthetic milk is extremely poisonous for small children. Continuous use of the synthetic milk turns the human body a farm house of diseases.

Solutions to the problems of synthetic milk

In the development of a healthy and healthy nation, people living there have a very prominent role to play. It becomes imperative on the part of the people of a nation to remain healthy, alert and duty bound. Therefore to safeguard from the ill effects of synthetic milk, the following noted suggestions must be taken into consideration:-

• The entire populace of the country should be made aware of the simple testing procedures of the synthetic milk through publicity and media including TV, Radio, Print, pamphlets, hoardings and holding the camps of consumer awareness program.
• In cities and metros, only packaging milk should be encouraged and open selling milk should be completely banned by government notifications. Apart from this there should be a surprise checking by the officials of state food and civil supply department and the Dairy officials. 
• The food adulteration control Act has remained totally ineffective in checking the massive production of the synthetic milk. In the interest of the people and the nation and above all for the sake of humanity, severest possible punishment should be provided for by enacting laws for those who are playing with the lives of the human beings 
• A committee under the presidency of local administrative official should be established at gram, tehsil and district levels to control the production of synthetic milk by keeping a strict vigil over the local government and private dairies local milk sellers and all the distributing terminals. 
• At the village level, Gram Panchayats/ Janpad panchayats/ Zilla panchayats (Jan- Bhagidari Samiti), a general awareness program should be frequently held which will deliberate upon complaints received against synthetic milk. Domestic women should be trained to test synthetic milk by government agencies or NGOS.
• Conclusion

• Synthetic milk is a sweet poison which though does not kill at once but it slowly makes the body a fertile ground for diseases. As a result of white revolution, new machinery with new techniques have been made available but alas these machinery have been used to play with the lives of the humans in place of making its good uses. This happens because of the gap in demand and supply of milk. It is expected from the administration to have the production of synthetic milk checked under full control to avoid the loss of human life.

Home > Beauty > 5 Ways to Improve Hair Naturally

5 Ways to Improve Hair Naturally

Katie - Wellness Mama 94 Comments Affiliate Disclosure

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Now that I’ve been pregnant several times and had the wonderful thick hair that accompanies pregnancy and seen it thin again after birth, I started searching for and testing ways to naturally promote hair growth.

Of course, some of the post-pregnancy shed is entirely hormonal and somewhat inevitable, but I’ve found some tips that seem to help promote hair growth and improved follicle strength. I also wonder if these tips help baby’s hair growth in utero, as my kids have all come with a LOT of hair, especially my 4-year-old (her hair is in the picture above and she was three when taken!) Her hair has always been naturally thick, curly and easy to work with. In fact, she was born with almost two inches and I’ve now cut off over 16 inches of her still waist-length hair!

It is also important to remember that the condition of the hair and skin can be a good indication of the state of the body on the inside, so it is important address the body as a whole to improve hair and skin for the long term.

Either way, these natural tips are also good for the body in other ways, so there isn’t much to lose. Have you ever done anything to help improve hair growth? Please share your tips below!

1. Consume Enough Protein

Protein is essential for hair growth, so consuming enough protein can make sure that the body has the necessary building blocks for hair. Complete sources of protein like meats and fish are the most beneficial for hair growth and many meats also contain iron, which is another essential aspect of proper hair growth.

Foods like meats, fish, eggs, and especially bone broths (see below) are excellent for hair growth. These foods also contain necessary fats that help promote healthy hormones (see below) and healthy hair!

2. Get The Vitamins!

Some vitamins help promote hair growth- most notably: Vitamin C and Biotin. The body needs Vitamin C to produce collagen, which is necessary for healthy hair and skin.Vitamin C also helps with iron absorption, which promotes hair growth (plus it is an immune booster!). Since the body can’t manufacture Vitamin C, it is one vitamin that must be obtained from food or supplements. Foods like citrus, broccoli and spinach all contain Vitamin C.

Biotin (and other b-vitamins) can also promote faster and stronger hair growth, and it is also good for the skin. Biotin is a water soluble B-Vitamin that is also used in proper digestion of fats and sugars. Eggs, nuts, berries, fish and some vegetables all provideBiotin, though in small amounts, so sometimes a supplement can be helpful.

3. Up the Gelatin

I’ve posted before about the many benefits of Gelatin, including its support of healthy hair, skin and nails. Gelatin is one thing I make sure to consume daily in some form, either in bone broth or gelatin powder (or both). From a previous post:

“Gelatin is largely composed of the amino acids glycine and proline, which many people don’t consume in adequate amounts as they are found in the bones, fibrous tissues and organs of animals and as a population, we don’t consume these parts as much anymore. These amino acids are needed not only for proper skin, hair and nail growth, but for optimal immune function and weight regulation!

Glycine, which makes up about 1/3 of the amino acids in gelatin powder is anti-inflammatory and evidence is finding that it can help speed wound healing. Glycine in gelatin can also help improve sleep ease and quality.”

Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate Gelatin.

4. Balance the Hormones

“When it comes to health, hormones and gut bacteria have a much bigger effect than many people realize. In fact, these two factors can destroy health even if everything else (diet, supplements, etc) is optimized. Conversely, fixing hormones and gut bacteria can do a lot to boost health, even if not all the other factors are optimal. In fact, there are even studies about using certain hormone reactions to heal brain trauma.”

Hormones are often a major cause of hair loss or poor hair growth and unfortunately, there can be many causes of hormone imbalance. This is also the reason for hair loss after pregnancy. Of course, some steps can be taken to improve hair while working to balance hormones, and these are my top tips for balancing hormones naturally.

Stress and lack of sleep are two major contributors to hormone imbalance and here are some suggestions for optimizing those.

5. External Hair Treatments

Though the major causes of poor hair quality and growth are internal, external treatments can help improve existing hair and prevent breakage. From a previous post:

“I got this tip from Pinterest and have been amazed at what an intensive conditioning and strengthening treatment it is! To make, stir 1 tablespoon of Gelatin powder in to 1/2 cup of cool water until mixed. Add 1/2 cup warm/hot water, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey to create a thick gel/liquid. Pour into hair and massage through hair and scalp. Leave on for at least 5 minutes and rinse with hot water. Shampoo as normal.”

Another great hair treatment is to mix melted coconut oil and honey and massage through hair. Leave on for at least 20 minutes and then wash normally. My favorite ratio is 4 tablespoons of melted coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of honey.

How do you keep your hair healthy? Share your tips on the Blog!