I stole your dog today -- (get your tissues ready!)

I'm dedicating this to all the rescuers, adopters, volunteers, transporters, etc..that I have worked with in the past who support our "passion"...how this rings true!

I Stole Your Dog Today

I stole your dog today. No, I didn't set a foot on your
property, but from the condition of your dog, I can
imagine what it looks like...the word 'junkyard'
comes to mind.

I found her along a road, with a heavy chain wrapped
around her neck, still attached to rotten boards from
her doghouse, with rusty six-penny nails protruding.
Not only did I know that most of the town had already
ignored her, judging by where I found her, but I knew
that if she had gotten into the woods the 'cross' that
she dragged behind her would have wrapped around a
tree until starvation or thirst killed her.

The local populace is usually deaf to the sound or blind
to the sight of an animal in need, unless they decide
to shoot one for trespassing.

That her ribs showed, that her ears were filthy, that
her overall condition was poor and that her coat and
eyes were dull, were good indications that you didn't
deserve her. But just to make sure, I checked with the
local authorities for a report of a missing (unlicensed)
dog matching her description and to see if you'd placed
a 'lost dog' advertisement in the local newspaper.

You hadn't, which I can only surmise means that you
do not miss her. That's rather convenient, because the
fact that she is not spayed, probably unvaccinated,
and possibly heartworm positive means that restoring
her health could cost me around a thousand dollars.

Perhaps it may be some small comfort to know that
she doesn't miss you. In fact, her very act of escape
made it clear that she'd had enough of your brand of
pet guardianship.

It took her about a day to realize that I'm not you,
that I won't hurt her, that despite our brief
acquaintanceship, I love her. It took two days for
her to realize that the other animals who live here
accept her and that one of the joys she has been
missing has been the companionship of other dogs.
It took three days for her to appreciate the ecstasy
of a home cooked meal and that a couch is meant to
be reclined on, and that she no longer has to sleep
outside - in fact, when the thunder starts, she'll get
a hug and her ears rubbed, and I'll make a fool of
myself with baby talk.

She has a beautiful name now. Already in the first week
she has come to look more like she should. Her eyes
sparkle and she has learned to wag her tail in
greeting. She has stopped flinching when I make a
sudden movement, because she knows now that I
won't beat her, in fact, she rarely leaves my side.
She's even become brave enough to bark at a cat
and today I watched from the window as she initiated
play with the other dogs.

No, it's clear she does not miss you or her former
life of neglect on a chain. Of all the things that have
become apparent from my brief relationship with
her - such as the forgiving nature of the dog, their
wonderful ability to heal and to trust, the fact that
love can work miracles - one of the most apparent
is what a fool you are. She was possibly the most
trusting, loyal and loving being in your life, and you
consigned her to a life of filth and loneliness until
she made the best choice she's ever made when
she broke free.

Perhaps her guardian angel helped her escape.
Lest anyone should mistake me for an angel, I will
admit that one day I hope to be as good as she;
I believe she forgave you within the first twenty-four
hours of her new life for the about four years of her
previous 'life,' while I still wrestle with the part of
me that hopes that one day you will burn in Hell.

It's not clear yet whether she'll remain here or whether
I'll find her a loving home where she can count on
more individual attention than I can give her, but
one thing is certain, this is one bit of stolen 'property'
who is never returning to you. So sue me, prosecute
me, plead with the courts that she is rightfully yours...
I'm convinced this is the best 'crime' I've ever committed.

Hardly anything has pleased me more than the day
I stole your dog. I need only look into her beautiful
brown eyes to know that she'd defend my decision
with her life. If we have one prayer, it is that you will
not replace her, and if we have one special day to
commemorate together, it is the day I stole your dog
and the day she stole my heart.

Copyright Jim Willis 2002

my writing skills are lacking

I read quite a few blogs and am so impressed with the talent and humor that others portray through their writing. I know we all have our natural talents, and writing is not one of mine. Typing, sure, but not writing!! Many of my thoughts that I put down in writing are choppy, and don't flow very well. Segues just happen without a clear transition. Oh well.

I just love writing though, about topics that are of interest to me.

Of course, I love reading even more.

What are some things that are of interest to me? If you know me you probably already know the answer to that one!

1. Animals. I love animals, and volunteer with MN Boxer Rescue. I have 2 beloved boxers and 1 cat. I had another cat, Gonerbee, but he is gone now, almost 2 years and I miss him so much. We have a fish that is sick. Has been his whole life but I keep putting miracle II neutralizer in his water and he is still alive. I think he is paralyzed on one side of his body, and has a huge growth in his chest. We have had him for almost two years. If I lived on a farm I would want to only have animals as pets (or chickens that lay eggs, for example). I LOVED horses growing up, and still do. My dogs are my babies. My cat is my princess. And yes, I do talk baby talk to them (how embarrassing!!)

2. Natural health. This is a huge fun topic for me, because I started learning about natural health and alternative medicine and herbs and homeopathy over 20 years ago, when I was still a teenager. My mom died of cancer when I was a baby, and there are certain cancers that run in the family, genetically. Since she was battling cancer when she was pregnant with me, I didn't get the colostrum, mothers milk, etc to boost my immune system when I was born. I was formula fed. I also was exposed to chemicals in utero. Those issues started me on a quest for natural healthy living. I have created Purify Your Body in 2004 and started selling my detox foot pads, and along the way have added a few more products I truly believe in. I also try to avoid chemicals and processed foods. But that is nearly impossible. In my blog I write a lot about different health advice that I get from some other blogs I read. Some I agree with, others I don't know, and a few I don't agree with (due to my own experiences).

3. Gardening. I am still fairly new to gardening -- especially organic gardening, but I am learning and having a blast. I feel so good when I am able to pick my bounty and eat it. That is one of the best feelings in the world. And I love to work in the garden, have my dogs lounging around next to me.

4. Emergency preparedness. This is also a fairly new hobby for me. But I strongly encourage everyone to be prepared -- have at least a 72 hour kit within reach at home, if you are ordered to evacuate due to natural disaster or heaven forbid, man-made disaster! And, always have clean water stored along with a full pantry.

5. Reading. I love to read. Can't put a book down!! I currently love murder mysteries and go through 3-4 novels a week, AND still read my scriptures every night!

6. Marketing. This is what I do for my day job, and whenever I talk to someone who has their own business, my mouth cannot stay shut!! I talk about marketing and then somehow agree to help them with their marketing plan or website. That is fine. Hopefully one day I can do this as a strong side business. I already have the company name: Lazy Beaches Marketing. When we move to somewhere warm, and retire (although we will still be young) I plan on actually promoting this more, and getting maybe a dozen or so clients. I can do their social marketing strategies, SEO, and promotions. It will be fun.

7. My God. I am a very religious person, and really enjoy going to church and trying to stay on the straight and narrow. My sisters and I recently started a company selling christian-themed apparel, mostly tee-shirts but we will be branching off soon to include other apparel items. We hope for a July launch date. The name of the company is Faith, Hope, Chari-tees. (get it, Charitees -like tee shirts -- vs. Charity). Our Christian t-shirts are so cute! Once we do launch I will be adding some images of our shirts for sale here. This is so much fun, and providing humor to go with some great gospel sayings makes me smile!

I of course love my man, but he isn't really a hobby... maybe a lifestyle choice though. HAHA!! My family is important to me, too, but again, not a hobby.

So that is me, in essence.

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Pesticide exposure linked to 53 percent increased risk for Alzheimer's disease

This is why you should consistently detox your body with my detox foot pads!! Alzheimer's disease is the scariest disease!!!


NorthStar In the news...

Pesticide exposure linked to 53 percent increased risk for Alzheimer's disease


It's hard to protect yourself against pesticide exposure, even if you're diligent. These harmful toxins are everywhere...on your produce, in cosmetic products, and even in your drinking water. In fact, just last month, EPA officials discovered that a type of pesticide called DDT had polluted all the wells in a small Michigan community (even though DDT has been banned in agriculture use in the U.S. for 30 years!).

The unfortunate truth is, over a lifetime, most of us are bombarded by pesticides. And a new study has just discovered that repeated exposure to pesticides may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 53 percent.

The good news is, there are simple steps you can take to drastically reduce your pesticide exposure...and hopefully lower your associated AD risk. I'll tell you all about them in a moment.

Alzheimer's risk skyrockets for farmers in Utah

In recent study, Duke University scientist Kathleen M. Hayden, PhD and her team followed 3,000 elderly men and women living in rural Utah for 14 years. At the outset of the study, the scientists asked each of the participants detailed questions to determine exposure to many different types of pesticides. In addition, the scientists measured the participants' cognitive levels three times over the course of the study.

They found that about 600 participants had some pesticide exposure. In fact, most of them had been exposed to two kinds of pesticides commonly used to spray food crops, called organophosphates and organochlorines.

Of the 600 participants exposed to these pesticides, an astounding 500 developed "incident dementia" over the course of the study. In addition, 433 developed Alzheimer's disease.

Put another way, this means that almost 70 percent of the men and women with repeated pesticide exposure over their lifetime developed Alzheimer's disease!

According to the Duke researchers, these pesticides appear to wreak havoc on the central nervous system. Specifically, pesticides reduce a person's acetycholine (a type of neurotransmitter responsible for learning, memory, and concentration). And low acetycholine is also a common characteristic of Alzheimer's patients. In fact, three out of the four drugs on the market work by increasing acetycholine levels.

Who's most at-risk?

It's important to note that many of the participants were farmers, with routine physical contact with pesticides. Now, I'm not a farmer. But I do eat foods grown on a farm. Does eating foods treated with pesticides increase my risk of Alzheimer's disease? The study's authors didn't specify, but consider this...

Another recent study published in the medical journal Pediatrics links ADHD in children with pesticide exposure. In fact, kids with high pesticide exposure are more than twice as likely to have ADHD. And how are these kids getting exposed to pesticides?

You got it.

By eating fruits and veggies treated with pesticides.

My hunch is that these kids also have similar disruptions in acetycholine (that neurotransmitter I talked about earlier that's responsible for learning, memory, and concentration).

How can you reduce your pesticide exposure?

Avoiding all pesticide exposure could easily become a full-time job. And I know most of us can't go to such extreme lengths. Nevertheless, here are some good rules to follow to decrease your pesticide load:

1. Buy organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible. The Environmental Working Group puts out a great "dirty dozen" list of the produce that you should always buy organic. There's also a list of "clean 15" that are always safe to eat.

2. Use a quality water filter. Many of these pesticides (as residents of the Michigan town will tell you) leach into your drinking water. If possible, install a filter on your showerhead as well.

3. If you live near farmland, make contact with the farmer to learn if he or she uses pesticides on crops.

4. Most lawn care services use organophosphate pesticides. If yours does, never walk on your lawn after it's been sprayed. Ideally, stay away from the house for a few hours after your lawn's been treated. Ideally, I'd recommend skipping the lawn service all together or find one that offers "natural" products for your lawn care.

5. Avoid using insecticides in and around your home. There are lots of non- toxic ways to control pests. For instance, start by building outside barriers against pests, such as mulch or caulk. If ants are invading your house, sprinkle baby powder on problem spots. The smell of talc deters them. I've also heard that cinnamon and vinegar deters them as well.

In closing, pesticide use is a bigger problem that anyone in the mainstream press is willing to admit. And it's just getting bigger. I guarantee the pesticide- Alzheimer's disease link is just the tip of the iceberg.

So don't be a victim and educate yourself. Visit www.ewg.org to learn more common-sense ways to safeguard your health and decrease exposure to these toxins.

Until next time,

Allan Spreen, M.D.
NorthStar Nutritionals

30 percent of kids between 10 and 19 years old are on meds for chronic conditions

Big Pharma's little buddies

The biggest, fastest growth in the prescription drug market is in the littlest people
-- and I don't mean midgets.

A new study by Medco, which manages drug benefits and runs the nation's largest mail-order pharmacy, finds that more children are taking more powerful meds more frequently.

That's a whole lot of "more" in one place... it's so bad now that a quarter of all U.S. kids with insurance are taking at least one drug, and 30 percent of kids between 10 and 19 years old are already on meds for chronic conditions.

Looks like 16 is the new 60!

Overall, kids are the fastest-growing demographic for the drug companies, with sales rising four times faster than in the overall general population. We've got the sickest, fattest kids in history -- and Big Pharma is ready to pounce.

Just look at diabetes. You might remember how we used to call type 2 diabetes "adult-onset diabetes." There's a reason that term has fallen out of favor -- and you can see it right there in Medco's report, which finds that the number of kids on meds for the condition has risen by 150 percent since 2001.

Nothing "adult" about that.

There's also been a 147 percent leap in heartburn meds and PPIs, a 50 percent increase in cholesterol meds, and a 24 percent rise in blood pressure drugs -- all in children. And I haven't even touched on the huge leaps in everything from antipsychotics to asthma meds.

Even Medco's boss calls the increase "shocking," and this is from a man who sells those drugs for a living.

But what's really shocking is that kids are on these meds at all -- because every single one of those diseases and conditions can be fixed through lifestyle changes, starting with a better diet.

But the sad truth is, these numbers will go up -- not down.

And if you think we're raising the fattest, sickest generation ever right now, just wait a few years.

Hoping I'm wrong (but certain I'm right),

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

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Zevia Cola Review - all natural soda pop sweetened with Stevia. Zero calories!

I finally was able to try Zevia, which is an all natural soda sweetened with Stevia. A friend of mine from work brought me 3 flavors to try: Ginger Ale, Dr. Pepper and Cola.

Back in the day when I was drinking a lot of diet cola (bad, Rebecca!!) about 10-15 years ago, I have to tell you that this flavor reminds me of that. It isn't super sweet like the regular colas (pepsi and coke) are. But it isn't half bad at all!

I will happily drink it, knowing that there are no calories, and no sugar, no artificial sugars, and no high fructose corn syrup.

You can go to their website at http://www.zevia.com to find a location of one of their retailers (Whole Foods carries it for sure... not Trader Joe's, which is my favorite store). Or you can even purchase online. If you do a search for coupons you can find coupons, too.


Detox Your Body with
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Christian-based apparel
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Dear Abby job seeking advice

DEAR ABBY: The company where I work posted an ad online and at our state unemployment job board for a position that needed to be filled. The ad detailed simple but specific instructions that included asking applicants to write a cover letter to address certain questions. It also said -- in large letters: "YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS OR YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOYMENT." Of the 133 resumes we received, 76 did not contain the information that was requested. These applications were moved to an "Incomplete" file and not considered for hire. What's sad is that judging by their resumes alone, several of these applicants had the qualifications we were looking for.
With unemployment being what it is, I was surprised that the majority of the applicants did not comply with the simple instructions. Please advise your unemployed readers that a job is out there for them, but they must follow instructions. -- TRYING TO BE HELPFUL, TUMWATER, WASH.


DEAR TRYING TO BE HELPFUL: Consider it done. Now I'll offer another suggestion: Always proofread what you have written to ensure there are no spelling or transposition errors.


Detox Your Body with
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All about B Vitamins - Especially if you are a vegetarian! (From Dr. Al Sears)

B vitamins are your best protection against heart attack and stroke and more powerful than any drug.
B vitamins are controversial, but they shouldn’t be… a lot of what you hear about them comes from misleading reports sponsored by drug companies.
Big Pharma is working on drug versions of B vitamins, especially B6. They’re hoping you’ll “trust” their drug version over the kind you get from a multi-vitamin.
But really, why would you pay hundreds of dollars for a prescription form of B6 when you can get it at your local vitamin store for pennies?
B vitamins are water soluble, which means you’ll find them in the meat of animal protein, instead of the fatty part. Some B vitamins are found in fruits and vegetables, but your best source is red meat. And for B12, red meat is your ONLY source.
About 25 years ago, I developed a phrase to help my fellow medical students remember the names for all the B vitamins. I still use this to teach nutrition today:
Teddy Roosevelt Never Painted Pyramids Blue In Fancy Clothes.
It contains the first letter of all the B vitamins in numerical order. (The missing numbers are compounds researchers thought were vitamins but turned out to be nonessential.) The more absurd the image, the more likely you’ll remember it.

B Vitamin

Function

Best Sources

Vitamin B1
Thiamine
Circulation, blood formation, brain function
Organ meat, yeast, peas, pork, beans
Vitamin B2
Riboflavin
Blood cell formation, antibodies, cataract prevention
Meat, poultry, fish, nuts, kidney, liver, green vegetables
Vitamin B3
Niacin
Circulation, nervous system, healthy skin
Lean meats, nuts, legumes and potatoes
Vitamin B5

Pantothenic Acid
Adrenal hormones, antibodies, neurotransmitters, stamina
Eggs, pork, beef, fish, milk, and most fruits/vegetables
Vitamin B6
Pyridoxine
Brain/immune system function, cancer immunity, mild diuretic
Chicken, fish, kidney, liver, eggs, bananas, lima beans, walnuts
Vitamin B7
Biotin
Cell growth, metabolism of carbohydrates/fats/proteins
Liver, eggs yolks, nuts, cauliflower, milk, legumes
Vitamin B8
Inositol
Hair growth, reduces cholesterol and plaque
Heart, fruit, milk, nuts, meat, vegetables
Vitamin B9
Folic Acid
“Brain food,” energy, red blood cells, strengthens immunity
Beef, lamb, pork, chicken liver, eggs, green leafy vegetables, salmon
Vitamin B12
Cyanocobalamin
Prevent anemia/nerve damage, digestion, cellular longevity
Lamb, beef, herring, mackerel, liver, oysters, poultry, clams, eggs

But there’s more you need to know… I uncovered a 14-year study that tracked folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B6, and B12.1

Here’s what I found:
• When folate is high:

o A man’s chance of heart attack is cut in half.

o A woman’s risk of heart attack drops by 43%.

o And a woman’s risk of stroke drops by more than a third.

• When vitamin B6 is high:
o A man’s chance of heart attack is reduced by over 60%.

o A woman’s risk of heart attack drops by more than a half.

o And a woman’s risk of stroke drops by more than a third.

Studies show that vitamin B12 deficiency leads to high homocysteine in vegetarians.2 Homocysteine is the amino acid that causes cardiovascular disease when it gets too high.
The best way to get vitamin B12 is by eating animal protein. But sometimes you have to supplement to get enough.
Folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 work together. They produce red blood cells, make your nerves function, and reduce homocysteine.
When homocysteine is high, you’re also a candidate for Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and a list of birth-related issues.3,4,5
The majority of vegetarians have high homocysteine.6 But anyone with a B vitamin deficiency is at risk. Especially if you take medications such as antibiotics or birth control pills. They deplete B vitamins and cause your homocysteine to skyrocket.
To protect yourself, eat foods high in folate, vitamin B6, and B12 every day. Look at the table again. Try to get at least one of the foods from the “best sources” column into your meals at least once a day. You can also pick up a B vitamin supplement at any vitamin shop.
To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD


1Cui, R., Iso, H. et al. “Dietary Folate and Vitamin B6 and B12 Intake in Relation to Mortality From Cardiovascular Diseases. Japan Collaborative Cohort Study” Stroke. 2010 Published online before print April 15, 2010, doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.578906.
2Wadoa. RS., Edul, NC., et al.“Hyperhomocysteinaemia And Vitamin B12 Deficiency In Ischaemic Strokes In India.” Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2004;7(2):387-392.
3Postiglione A, Milan G, Ruocco A, et al. “Plasma folate, vitamin B(12), and total homocysteine and homozygosity for the C677T mutation of the 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene in patients with Alzheimer’s dementia. A case-control study.” Gerontology. 2001 Nov;47(6):324-9.
4Weinstein SJ, Ziegler RG, Selhub J, et al. “Elevated serum homocysteine levels and increased risk of invasive cervical cancer in US women.” Cancer Causes Control. 2001 May;12(4):317-24.
5Vollset SE, Refsum H, Irgens LM, et al. “Plasma total homocysteine, pregnancy complications, and adverse pregnancy outcomes: the Hordaland Homocysteine study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Apr;71(4):962-8.
6Wadoa. RS., Edul, NC., et al.“Hyperhomocysteinaemia And Vitamin B12 Deficiency In Ischaemic Strokes In India.” Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2004;7(2):387-392.

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do you eat celery? up to 67 different types of pesticides are found in non-organic celery. YIKES!! from CNN

This story is one of the main reasons why I am enjoying gardening so much. This year I started growing potatoes, it is a first for me. Last year broccoli was a first. Next year I am going to do asparagus, cauliflower and celery, and hope that I am capable of growing them! In my garden this year, besides the potatoes, I have broccoli, carrots, 3 types of onions/scallions, pumpkin, cantaloupe, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, green beans, spinach, swiss chard, lettuce, and corn. I also have many herbs, including TONS of cilantro. My fruits include apples, oranges, peaches, tangerines, lime, lemon, apricots, plums, cherries and pears. My berries include blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and grapes. -Rebecca 


'Dirty dozen' produce carries more pesticide residue, group says

By Danielle Dellorto, Senior Medical Producer
June 1, 2010 1:31 a.m. EDT


Is enough being done to protect us from chemicals that could harm us? Watch "Toxic America," a special two-night investigative report with Sanjay Gupta, M.D., June 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.

(CNN) -- If you're eating non-organic celery today, you may be ingesting 67 pesticides with it, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group.
The group, a nonprofit focused on public health, scoured nearly 100,000 produce pesticide reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine what fruits and vegetables we eat have the highest, and lowest, amounts of chemical residue.
Most alarming are the fruits and vegetables dubbed the "Dirty Dozen," which contain 47 to 67 pesticides per serving. These foods are believed to be most susceptible because they have soft skin that tends to absorb more pesticides.
"It's critical people know what they are consuming," the Environmental Working Group's Amy Rosenthal said. "The list is based on pesticide tests conducted after the produce was washed with USDA high-power pressure water system. The numbers reflect the closest thing to what consumers are buying at the store."


Special report: Toxic America


The group suggests limiting consumption of pesticides by purchasing organic for the 12 fruits and vegetables.
"You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by up to 80 percent by buying the organic version of the Dirty Dozen," Rosenthal said.

The Dirty Dozen
Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Domestic blueberries
Nectarines
Sweet bell peppers
Spinach, kale and collard greens
Cherries
Potatoes
Imported grapes
Lettuce


Not all non-organic fruits and vegetables have a high pesticide level. Some produce has a strong outer layer that provides a defense against pesticide contamination. The group found a number of non-organic fruits and vegetables dubbed the "Clean 15" that contained little to no pesticides.


The Clean 15
Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet peas
Asparagus
Kiwi fruit
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet potatoes
Sweet onions


What is a pesticide?
A pesticide is a mixture of chemical substances used on farms to destroy or prevent pests, diseases and weeds from affecting crops. According to the USDA, 45 percent of the world's crops are lost to damage or spoilage, so many farmers count on pesticides.
The Environmental Protection Agency, the FDA and the USDA work together to monitor and set limits as to how much pesticide can be used on farms and how much is safe to remain on the produce once it hits grocery store shelves.
"In setting the tolerance amount, the EPA must make a safety finding that the pesticide can be used with 'reasonable certainty of no harm.' The EPA ensures that the tolerance selected will be safe," according the EPA's website.
Although the President's Cancer Panel recently recommended that consumers eat produce without pesticides to reduce their risk of getting cancer and other diseases, the low levels of pesticides found on even the Dirty Dozen are government-approved amounts.


Can small amounts of pesticides hurt you?
The government says that consuming pesticides in low amounts doesn't harm you, but some studies show an association between pesticides and health problems such as cancer, attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder and nervous system disorders and say exposure could weaken immune systems.
The Environmental Working Group acknowledges that data from long-term studies aren't available but warns consumers of the potential dangers.
"Pesticides are designed to kill things. Why wait for 20 years to discover they are bad for us?" Rosenthal said.
Some doctors warn that children's growing brains are the most vulnerable to pesticides in food.
"A kid's brain goes through extraordinary development, and if pesticides get into the brain, it can cause damage," said Dr. Philip Landrigan, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.


Can pesticides be washed away?
Not necessarily. The pesticide tests mentioned above were conducted after the food had been power-washed by the USDA. Also, although some pesticides are found on the surface of foods, other pesticides may be taken up through the roots and into the plant and cannot be removed.
"We've found that washing doesn't do much," Rosenthal said. "Peeling can help, although you have to take into account that the pesticides are in the water, so they can be inside the fruit because of the soil."
All fresh produce, whether it's grown with or without pesticides, should be washed with water to remove dirt and potentially harmful bacteria. And health experts agree that when it comes to the Dirty Dozen list, choose organic if it's available.

"To the extent you can afford to do so, [parents] should simply buy organic, because there have been some very good studies that shows people who eat mostly organic food reduce 95 percent of pesticides [in their body] in two weeks," Landrigan said.


###

This is why my detox foot pads are so important - -especially for children. We think we are feeding kids healthy meals and realize we are really filling them up with toxic overload. The detox foot pads can help with that.

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