Phytonutrients

Modern “chemicalized” farming practices have dramatically compromised the soil and thus, the nutritional value of many fruits and vegetables. Organic food is no longer pure, but the best of lesser options. So, with this in mind how can we nutriment our bodies and maintain, if not enhance our quality of health? Plant-derived phytochemicals hold the key. Phyto or plant based supplementation may provide the answer we are looking for. Health experts agree that supplementation can provide the body with the missing nutrients in food caused by soil erosion. A 2003 issue of Nature Reviews defined the role of phytochemicals as "halting or retarding the progression of pre-cancerous cells to malignant ones." When derived from the plant matrix, vitamins come with the beneficial fibers, sugars and organic acids that reside in natural matrices --nourishing the body with maximum benefit and functionality. This is good news since plant-based vitamins & minerals are much more easily absorbed by the body. The body assimilates between 80 to 100 percent of the minerals derived from plants, in contrast to synthetic mineral and vitamins that are chemically derived, mined or chelated and not readily absorbed or used by the body (less than 10%) and excreted in the urine.

Revolutionary advancement is being made in this area by Mannatech, a company that places its focus on securing the best technology to support the market's best and most unique products. Mannatech’s effort in research and development to create and maintain a few core optimal products culminated in the Ambrotose complex. The nutrition industry's first supplement containing fully standardized and completely plant-based vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals is PhytoMatrix. Its potency provides the same amount of minerals typically found in several pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables and also a substantial portion of the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals as well as powerful plant-derived phytochemicals. When harvested, these plants provide all-natural ingredients. The nutritional supplement is comprised of a unique blend of plant-based sugars, which are also known as glyconutrients ('glyco' is the Greek word for 'sweet'). Medical research acknowledges that eight glyconutrient sugars are needed at the cellular level for optimum immune system function. Considering that six of these glyconutrients are often lacking in modern diets. Science has also shown that there is a synergy when various plant- sourced vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals are combined. The body needs these for many important functions, including the activation of enzymes, hormones and other molecules needed to sustain life. There is also a youthing factor contained in the cell. For more information click here.

Everything in nature contains all the power of nature. Everything is made of one hidden stuff.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sprouts are a powerhouse of nutrition. They have been grown by many civilizations over the past 5,000 years.

Research shows that sprouts are a veritable fountain of youth. Sprouts abound with antioxidants, they are full of protein, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Broccoli sprouts have been found to contain 50 times as much of the antioxidant sulfurophane as mature broccoli. Wheat Grass juice is the closest substance to hemoglobin known and is therefore a phenomenal blood purifier and liver de-toxifier.

Sprouts contain enzymes, giving your body a much needed rest as they digest themselves - invigorating you while requiring no help from your body to process them. New research indicates that peanut sprouts reduce harmful cholesterol and that sunflower, buckwheat and grain sprouts dramatically improve the quality of life of diabetics. The list goes on and on. Experiment sprouting with

Sprouts are a nutritious staple all year round, but they really come in handy during the hot summer months when eating is lighter. Try them in salads, sandwiches, sprinkle them over cooked soup and eat them in handfuls for a crunchy delicious snack.

Have You Tried Compost Tea In Your Garden Yet?

We can heal the abuse to our environment from toxic contamination and pollution that generations of harmful chemical applications have created. Using compost tea is one of the safest, most effective and most direct routes to get away from and undo the negative impact from using chemical herbicides, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, from gardeners to growers, schools to forests, stream banks to sports fields. Compost tea helps restore natural health and balance to our soil. It helps break down soil pollution and provide nutrients to our plants. Its success is being felt worldwide in restoring depleted and deficient soils.

Envirocycle Composter

How to make Compost Tea

Compost tea is an aerobically brewed (not thermally brewed) liquid concentrate of soluble nutrients, organic compounds and elevated levels of microorganisms. 

This concentrated liquid compost extract is teeming with live beneficial microorganisms, and is the best way to 'feed the soil' and maintain healthy soil environment, which is the key to healthy plants. Healthy soil is one that is alive with beneficial microorganisms that are responsible for producing robust plants, more resistance to insect and disease problems, and plants and trees that are more productive and able to withstand extremes in temperature and moisture. As beneficial species of microorganisms increase they displace pathogenic species. Less food and less room for pathogenic species to grow means fewer problems with Phytophthora or verticillium in the soil. On the leaf surface, there is less room for powdery mildew and black spot if beneficial species occupy at least 70%. On turf, beneficial fungi can out-compete lawn diseases like pythium, fusarium and rhizoctonia.

When planting trees, shrubs and perennials or renovating your lawn, Compost Tea will help your new plants get established quickly, with less transplant shock and faster root development. Compost Tea can enhance the germination of grass seed and development of the new roots as well. Existing plants and lawns benefit just as much from Compost Tea. The end result of all this bio-diversity is a reduction in the amount of fertilizer used making a positive impact on the environment. This is the direction we want to head in. Compost Tea Recipe or Click Compost Tea Brewers to learn more

EarthWise gardening means adopting good gardening practices so plants can flourish naturally, without reliance on chemical pesticides. The use of chemical products in our gardens over the years has destroyed most of the benficial microorganisms, reducing organic matter and creating compact, infertile soils. Gardens dependent on the use of chemicals are more likely to suffer from insects, disease and drought conditions.

Learn how to easily grow sprouts in your kitchen in a few days.

Sprout Basics

Sprouting Devices

Harvest Days are: 10,13,14,

More on Sprouting...
Time Lapse Radish Seeds Sprouting, Top and Roots Growing

IN THE KNOW

Codex Alimentarius in a Nutshell- What Exactly is it and How Does it Impact Your Health Freedom? Co-Sponsor Health Freedom Protecton Act

Synthetic chemicals in food, personal care products found to influence obesity

Consuming low-fat dairy products may lessen fertility in women

Painkillers found to cause hypertension-The three most commonly used medicines in the United States - the painkillers acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin - were found to increase the risk of high blood pressure

Phosphoric acid in sodas nearly as damaging to teeth as battery acid-According to a report published in the March / April edition of General Dentistry, phosphoric acid in soda causes tooth enamel erosion, even with minimal exposure. While some consumers may believe that sugar is the only culprit of soda's adverse effects on dental health, enamel erosion occurs whether the soda is sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) banned the progeny of cloned animals from organic The problem then becomes how to track 2nd & 3rd generation cloned offspring.

Is the Chicken You Eat Poisened with Arsenic? - Roxarsone is the most common arsenic-based additive used in chicken feed, used to promote growth, kill parasites and improve the color of chicken meat. It is normally benign, but under certain conditions that can occur within live chickens or on farm land, the compound converts into more toxic forms of inorganic arsenic.

Basil, Bay, Cardamom, Cedarwood, Cypress, Frankinscence, Geranium, Grapefruit, Hyssop, Juniper, Myrrh, Pimento Berry, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rosemary, Vetiver

* All flower photos come from our personal Orchid Houses and will soon be available as a screensaver for purchase in the On-Line Store

Meditation is an exercise of the mind designed to calm and connect the mind, body & Spirit. Take at last 10 to 30 minutes a day to gift yourself.

Centering is meditation in action. Within you is a space that is always calm and at peace. This space is often referred to as your "calm center". Being centered means remaining in your calm center amidst the busyness of everyday life. Being centered means not allowing your inner light to be overshadowed by stressful circumstances or negative thoughts and emotions.

When you are centered, you are in a state of clarity, focus, peace, and balance. When you are not centered, you are unclear, unfocussed, stressed, and off balance.

A good centering technique will require only minimal attention, allowing you to keep some of your attention on the activity at hand. Here are some very easy, effective centering techniques.

1. Simple Breath Awareness
While involved in whatever you are doing, bring some attention to your breathing for just a few moments... it needn't be your full attention... just enough to bring you back to your calm center. Breathe naturally, or perhaps just a little more slowly and deeply.

2. Reclaiming Your Energy
When you are feeling stressed and scattered, take several slow, deep breaths. With each in-breath, imagine that you are pulling all of your scattered energy and attention back toward your inner self... your calm center.

3. Letting Go
This centering technique combines breath awareness with the phrase or mantra, "Let go." It is especially helpful when you are tense and/or fixating on a stressful situation or a negative thought or emotion.
As you inhale, (silently or aloud) say, "Let"
As you exhale, say "go"... while letting go of all that is stressing you.

4. Inner Sun
Imagine a bright sun filling your heart chakra... the calm, subtle energy field that permeates your chest area. Imagine that sun gently emanating peace and joy throughout your entire being.