LifeStyleZero

So, I have been looking into carbon offsetting programs, and I am of two minds about them.  On one hand, I think, that isn’t good enough.  It isn’t good enough for an SUV driver to buy a TerraPass sticker, stick it on their SUV, and feel OK.  Yes, it is a step, and a step in the right direction.  And, for now, it may be the easiest step for many people to take.

I hope that this is only for starters, though, because eventually, whatever carbon emissions you are offsetting will have to go as well if we are going to truly contain what is happening on the planet right now.  But, for those of you still on a non-renewable power grid (shame on you if there are other options available through your power company), or for those still driving cars that aren’t zero emission vehicles or taking flights - and I am in your ranks, although trying to do as little as possible of these things, offsetting carbon is an important first step towards becoming carbon neutral.

So, today there is a cool thing that you can do to help offset your emissions.  Plant some trees and help save the natural habitat of the Monarch Butterfly.  Check it out here:

http://michoacanmonarchs.org/ourstory(1).htm

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NOTE:This is an email forward that we have received and posted in full.  This material does not originate at LifeStyleZero.com, although we do generally agree …

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I just spent three days reading, re-reading, researching and discussing the proposed FDA guidelines for “Complementary and Alternative Medicine” with two FDA attorneys. You can download a copy of this proposal for yourself below.

When I first heard about this FDA attack on complementary and alternative health care, I considered it another “Chicken Little” rumor. On further study, I’m appalled at the speed with which the pharmaceutical companies are implementing Codex Alimentarius in the USA. If you don’t suspect the pharmaceutical companies control the FDA, you may want to research that further by visiting (http://www.healthfreedomusa.org)

This insidious proposal is designed to redefine every complementary and alternative health care modality and product as “medicine.” This has direct implications on the services and products provided by every alternative health care professional. There is no facet of complementary and alternative health care that is not affected. If the FDA adopts this proposal, all natural health care would be illegal even for medical doctors.

Essential oils, herbs, herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, minerals, nutritional supplements, plant enzymes and vitamins are redefined in this proposal as “medicine.” Very simply, medicine is under the jurisdiction of the FDA and, by law, only licensed medical doctors may prescribe “medicines.” Anybody else who advises, advocates, counsels, distributes, markets, recommends or suggests anybody use “medicine” is practicing medicine without a license. This is a felony in the USA punishable by fines and incarceration.

Aromatherapy, auricular therapy, biofeedback, color therapy, homeopathy, hypnotism, naturopathy, neurotherapy, nutritional consulting, reflexology, sound therapy and wellness consulting are among the alternative health modalities being redefined as “Alternative Medicine.”

This subtle change of vocabulary from “alternative health care” to “alternative medicine” makes all of these industries subject to control by the FDA as medicine. Only medical doctors would be allowed to provide, prescribe and supervise the delivery of these services. Anybody else who provided any of these services would be practicing medicine without a license and subject to incarceration and fines.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is we have until April 30, 2007 to voice our opinion against this proposal to eliminate complementary and alternative health care in America. Almost 100,000 people have already filed their objection. According to Dr. Rima Laibow, medical director of the Natural Therapies Foundation, we need 50 times that many people to respond by the end of the month.

Peace, John Gilbert

You can read the actual FDA document here at the FDA web site AND SUBMIT A RESPONSE By Clicking Here
You can go here to find out how to contact your Senator or Congressperson to let them know what you think… http://www.congress.org/

Please forward this to your email lists. Use the whole thing or copy and paste parts of it. Whatever you feel good about.

Thanks again for your support in keeping herbs and herbal information accessible to all.

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One simple way to make a difference is to choose to use clean electricity. The great part about this is that it is easier than you would think.

For most of us, all you need to do is call your electric company and ask them if they have green electricity options, including wind, solar, and water generated power. In Los Angeles, and I’m sure in some other places around the country (I only know because I live in LA) you can actually just check a box on your bill and opt-in to the green energy program.

It costs a couple of pennies more, but really nothing in comparison to the toll that coal burning plants are taking on the world - and global warming is a consequence that none of us can afford. So, do it today.

1. Look at your electric bill, and see if there is an easy option to go green

2. If there isn’t, call your electric company, and ask them about going to green energy

3. If your electric company doesn’t support green energy, threaten to switch companies if they don’t start, and then follow through. Look up alternative power suppliers in your area, and switch your electric company to someone that does use green energy.

Post some comments if you’ve gone through with it and let me know how it went!!

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