What GMO Means to You

What GMO Means to You Food quality is a hot topic in the news today.  Many are concerned  about current efforts by leading chemical companies to alter our  staple food crops in ways that have no precedent in nature or  science. Especially as parents, we are responsible to see that our children  get the best start we know about, and the quality of their food is a  huge factor. We also owe it to ourselves to stay as healthy as we  can. So what if we are eating Genetically Modified Organisms,  GMOs? Let's take the long view for a moment. For more than a million  years, humans have been eating everything in their local  environment that didn't kill them. If a person tried to eat an  animal or vegetable that was poisonous, that person didn't  live to have children. So over the years, humans found what  species were edible and what weren't. Over time, our human ancestors discovered how to cook food  to eat even more variety and to store food more effectively.  Eventually we even learned to replant the seeds of food and  to choose the seeds which gave us the qualities we liked  most. And we could do the same with animals once we  learned to corral them. A few centuries ago, we became far more scientific about  "breeding" our crops and animals, to produce food quicker,  cheaper, more efficiently, and with more of the  characteristics we wanted at any given time. Once we learned about genetics in the mid-twentieth century,  scientists began to imagine that they could actually tinker  with the genetic code to hone in on the characteristics we  wanted. But then the question becomes, the characteristics who  wanted? Is it the scientists who hire the geneticists to  experiment, is it the chemical companies who want the  crops and animals to use more of their chemicals, or is  it we the eaters? In the book Altered Genes, Twisted Truth, the author Steven  Druker reveals how our image of scientists going in with  tweezers and carefully manipulating the genes to improve  the crop is completely misleading, and unfortunately  deliberately so. At least four or five manipulations, almost unfathomable to  the non-geneticist, are applied to the genes at issue, and  even then there is no assurance until scrupulous testing  that the wanted results are achieved. For example, in many  cases, whether a cell has accepted the new gene is  detectable because a light sensitive gene from a jellyfish  has also been injected. We know that the genetic code of any creature, plant or  animal, is extremely interdependent, and one gene often  affects many activities in a cell. Likewise, groups of genes  often operate together to create other kinds of crucial  cell activities. So if we alter one gene because it will now  change a particular chemical in the plant,  we have no  way of knowing if this change will also affect how some  other important cell chemical is designed. We also now know that genes are activated and  deactivated by other processes in a cell that are  responding to numerous factors in and outside the  cell, including the stress level of the plant or animal.  This is the core of the science of "epigenetics." These complications may explain how many experiments  which we rarely hear about in the media, but are  considered well designed and reported by respected  scientists, have shown that when GMO foods are fed  to animals, unwanted health conditions develop at a  disturbing rate compared to animals fed the equivalent  non-GMO foods. Most developed countries have minimized the growing,  importing, and selling of GMO foods within their borders.  The chemical companies which encourage GMOs say  that if they are forced to label GMOs in the USA, the  same thing will happen here because the public doesn't  realize that these foods are "safe." But do we want to feed them to our children? Do we  want to experimental lab animals? The vast majority of all corn and soy sold in the USA  is genetically altered today. And there is no way to know  whether these crops may be responsible for the increases  in various chronic conditions like obesity, immunological  insufficiency, autoimmune disease, cancer, metabolic  syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and other  inflammatory diseases. All are on the rise, and it is  logical to look at recent changes in our food supply  which coincide with this rising trend. Don't believe the story that these alterations are necessary  to feed the hungry world. Most of the GMO crops go to feed  large animals which feed only the wealthy populations in  developed countries.  In addition, the GMO crops increase  yield only for the first few years, but unfortunately by then,  the farmer has become dependent on the special seeds  and pesticides the chemical company has sold her or  him, and has no GMO-free seed to start a new crop. I am not one to volunteer my child for a dietary experiment  that comes from a chem lab. I advise sticking with the  foods you grandmother would recognize or that your  great uncle could produce on his farm. The federal government just passed legislation which  was promoted by the chemical companies to prevent  individual states from responding to their citizens by  insisting on the labeling of GMOs. The law is touted as  having required that they be labeled, but it doesn't go  into effect for a couple of years, it has loopholes because  only certain foods or ingredients must be labeled, and the  label is only a QR code. So if you really want to know,  you must hold your mobile phone up to the label to  check the QR code! I will continue to buy only foods that say non-GMO  certified, and "organic," because so far the organic  label is not supposed to have any GMOs, although  there are a few exceptions already. Randy Rolfe's Take Home Tips: Avoid becoming dogmatic  about your food, because the burden of extra stress can be as harmful as an occasional over-processed or chemicalized food. Only if you have developed a reaction to a  certain kind of additive or GMO-related item do you need to be absolute about it, and even then you can build  your digestion and immunity back up in most cases so that an occasional exposure won't hurt. Beware of wheat, which is not usually GNO but which is sprayed with Round-Up just before harvest because it makes  harvesting easier. That herbicide is causing many issues with people's intestines and gut bacteria. So buy organic  wheat products whenever possible. In the family and among friends, avoid giving lectures, judgments,  or admonitions at meal time. Keep that time calm and happy to  promote good digestion and good relationships. Instead, at a  later time, share what you know as a caring aside, such as, "You  know I just saw an interesting article today about ... Do you know about that?"

Rescue Your Vacationing Kids from ICT

With kids out of school and at home looking for things to do, don't settle for them spending hours playing video games, surfing the Internet, watching friends' posts on Facebook or talking on the smart phone. Instead, spend some time checking out ways to help them escape and get involved in life outside the box.

They will be grown and may be busy with their own new family and even in another state before you know it. So capture your time together now and treasure it!

 

Check out your local museums for special exhibits over the holidays.

 

Check out local community theater for neat shows your children might enjoy.

 

Catch a local production of the Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol.

Attend a house of worship for a special holiday event.

 

Go to a nearby park and sled, skate board, roller skate, play street hockey, or just take a leisurely stroll together.

 

Shovel snow with them or make snowballs or a snow man if you are lucky enough to have snow.

 

Drive around and see the Christmas lights at night in the neighborhood.

Read a good Christmas tale aloud.

 

Build a fire and share stories by the flickering light.

 

Sing carols together.

 

Play a favorite Christmas album and sing or dance along.

 

Shop together for gifts and forget the surprise element so that you can spend more time together shopping and so that everyone gets exactly the model of digital device they want!

 

And cook together. Have each person choose a recipe and prepare them all in the kitchen together, each working on their own recipe. It's a blast!

 

If your child thinks your selection is just too corny, go ahead and plead that they do it for your sake. We parents have some prerogatives even with older kids! They will usually admit afterwards that it was a fine experience.

 

Besides the inherent value of grabbing more time together and reconnecting, sharing your stories, global philosophies, and laughs, pulling them away from the digital devices has great physical, emotional, and even mental benefits to their health.

 

Studies are mounting showing that in young people, depression, dissatisfaction with life, anxiety, poor academic performance, and lack of concentration are all associated with heavy cell phone use. It is easy to say that more time at the cell phone obviously means less time studying, but researchers have even considered that and found that there is a stronger association than just the time lost factor.

 

For xample, a study of college students back in 2007 found a strong positive correlation between Internet and cell phone use on the one hand and anxiety and insomnia on the other. The researchers summarized the study as demonstrating promising tools for assessing "these new behavioral addictions."

 

A 2012 study found that young people had more sleep disturbances, stress and other mental health problems. This study was done at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. They conducted four studies including 4,100 young adults aged 20-24. According to one of the researchers, "Regularly using a computer late at night is associated not only with sleep disorders but also with stress and depressive symptoms in both men and women." The study found that a combination of heavy use of both the computer and cell phone strengthened the link between ICT (information and communication technology) and sleep problems and depression.

 

As for serious problems of physical health, there are numerous studies which have shown that frequent use of cell phones, especially close to the head or carried near the waist, are associated with increased likelihood of brain cancer, infertility, and other scary problems.

 

A year ago, Pembroke Pines Florida passed an ordinance warning residents of the dangers of cell phone use after hearing testimony from a lawyer who realized that the cancers in his hand, the side of his head, and his hip were directly associated with his cell phone use with that hand, his ear on that side of his head, and the pocket by that hip. The city is recommending that residents keep their phone at least one inch from their bodies and use text, email or speakerphone in preference to holding the phone near their bodies.

 

As Nikken consultants, my partners and I regularly have folks test their strength either holding their cell phone or holding something else. Their strength is dramatically reduced when holding the phone, especially if it is turned on. But even when turned off it is ready to receive incoming calls, so it is actively in the matrix of radiofrequency waves surrounding us all the time now. The good news is that if you add to your body a balancing magnetic device, like Nikken insoles, or bracelet or neck band, the effect of the cell phone is diminished. But it is best to expose yourself as little as possible to the unnatural waves coming from these devices.

 

They also heat up the brain. "Frying the brain" can't be good. Though important, the measurements now required for rating cell phones today only refer to this heating effect. We still don't get any information about individual cell phones and the other effects of their emissions.

 

Consider attaching a blocker to the ear piece of your phone. An inexpensive but well tested on is available at www.waveshield.com. I interviewed Shelly Kalnitsky on my radio show Family First. You can listen to the interview at my website, www.randyrolfe.com. Also, if you are not using Nikken products already and want more information about them, please call me or visit my Nikken website at www.nikken.com/randyrolfe.

 

It may seem that we are just being negative about a new technology. But it is known that it can take 10 to 20 years for cancers to develop so precautions now are better than waiting to see what happens to our loved ones 10 to 20 years from now. And there are enough results already to convince me to be on my guard.

 

An MTV study released this summer found that young millenials were looking for better privacy in their social media. So the younger set seems to be wising up to the stressful aspects of their new-found communication tools. The results of the study surprised even MTV. They found that 14-17 year olds were pulling away from Facebook and seeking more private networks for communicating. The study also found that the kids were "taking time to disconnect, de-stress, de-stimulate and control inputs." They found some respondents who were said to be "monotasking."

 

Let the children lead the way.

 

Randy Rolfe's Take Home Tips: There is no substitute for you the parent. That proposition is my passion! So when your kids are home, include them as much as you can in everything you do, participate in whatever they are doing if they let you, and plan on doing nothing together often! Have a fantastic winter vacation!

 

The Power of Self Healing

Family First VoiceAmerica™


Many of the maladies people endure today seem to appear out of nowhere and to require aggressive medical treatment for any hope of relief. But new understanding of how the mind, body, and spirit work together to create who we are has led to a number of new approaches which tend to put the power for healing and prevention back into the hands of the individual involved. Can something as scary as cancer or arterial blockage respond to our own internal work?

My guest this week says that she has seen it happen, beginning with her own husband. Dr. Susan Allison is a transpersonal psychologist. She used her unique process combining new and ancient healing approaches to help her husband astound his oncologists. She sees herself as a healing coach rather than a therapist, helping people to find their own healing power to overcome both physical and emotional illness. She will share powerful strategies from her new book Empowered Healer to empower you and your family for health and happiness.

Use this link to listen to Family First, Friday at 4 PM ET, 1 PM PT or any time on archive or download: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/59494/a-unique-process-for-self-healing

Dr. Susan Allison earned her masters in Counseling Psychology and her doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology and has helped numerous people achieve what modern medicine might term spontaneous recoveries, including the overnight disappearance of diagnosed cancer, the disappearance of excruciating pain almost instantly, the restoration of peripheral eyesight, and the relief of depression effortlessly.

Dr. Allison has achieved these results with a unique four-step process which she reveals in her new book Empowered Healer: Gain the Confidence, Power and Ability to Heal Yourself. She has combined disciplines from her traditional practice as a psychotherapist with her training in a number of alternative healing methodologies--including hypnotherapy, shamanic healing, Reiki, Reconnective Healing, and energy medicine. Susan is also author of Conscious Divorce, Ending a Marriage with Integrity and Breathing Room. She was named “Woman of the Year” in California for her counseling work.

To hear Susan's powerful program, tune in by clicking on this link, at 4 PM ET or 1 PM PT, or any time afterwards: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/59494/a-unique-process-for-self-healing

Randy's Take Home Tip: Don't give up control of your own health to anyone else. It is your responsibility to be in touch with what is going on in your body and mind. And you have the best tools to change anything which needs improvement. The same goes for your children. You know them best and you know how best to find out what is going on with them. Surely professional help has its place, but treat it as advisory. You have the power and the more you use it the better things will turn out.