Welcome to the current issue

feb cover

In the current issue

Are YOU A Neoconservative?
If one had to choose a word to describe neoconservatism,...
Roses:
Gift of the Angels for Gentle Healing Roses have seduced people...
Leaks and Landscape During a Dry Winter
Did you know that most water customers start off the...
Loading feeds...

Created by SopanTech Solutions

Thom Hartmann

The nation's #1 progressive radio talk show host and the New York Times bestselling, 4-times Project Censored winning author of 21 books in print. In its eighth year, The Thom Hartmann Program  airs live daily, NOON – 3pm, ET simulcast as both radio and TV on over 120 radio stations. into more than 50 million homes via both nationwide satellite TV systems (DirecTV and Dish Network). http://www.thomhartmann.com

Save money on health insurance

Put some money in YOUR pocket

Many people think that group health plans are less expensive than individual. That is FALSE i you were to compare the benefits and premiums apples to apples. California Assembly Bill 1672 says that any business group of two or more employees cannot be declined due to pre-existing health conditions. Since the passing of AB 1672 group health insurance carriers typically charge more for dependents because they are guaranteed issue. If your dependents are healthy you can save by having them apply for individual plans.
Ten years ago I was selling employer group plans that offered $5 office visit co-pay, $100 hospital co-pay, $5 prescription drugs co-pay, and lab and X-Ray were paid in full. Unfortunately, those days are gone. Since then premiums have increased about ten percent annually. We are left with two choices. Stay on the PPOs and HMOs that pay for everything while shelling out $800 or more a month for family coverage. Or, raise your deductible or decrease prescription coverage thus transferring more risk to you. Only a small percentage of people actually meet their deductible each year. If you are young and healthy you may want to purchase a higher deductible plan. Some of these high deductible plans can be paired with a Health Savings Accounts (HAS) which can actually let you save money pre tax that can be rolled over year to year. Before the deductible is met your health related expenses would be paid for with your HSA.
Honestly there are only a handful of plans that cover maternity these days. Take a look and see if your plan does. If you are not planning on having kids you do not need this benefit. This will be an easy way you can save immediately.
I’m not going to sugar coat this one. Stop smoking, eat a healthy diet, and exercise. You’ll be able to get the best rates available. Not to mention you will lose weight, lower cholesterol, and generally feel better.
Nathan Hedges is an independent insurance agent specializing in Health, Life, and Medicare supplements.  Nathan delivers objective information to individuals, families and small businesses.  Call today to make sure you are getting the most for your dollar. You can shop and apply online at www.nathanhedges.net or call 805-235-0913 for an appointment.

Herbs in My Garden: Mugwort

My friend told me his favorite tale about mugwort the other day. He used to rub it all over his limbs when he went out rock climbing in Santa Barbara to ward off the climber’s enemy, poison oak. When kids didn’t believe him, he’d touch the evil oak after his mugwort dousing and impress all the kids that he had the magic herb to prevent getting poison oak. *The Native Americans knew this lore as well and used mugwort for that same purpose. They also smudged with mugwort in ritual ceremonies, drank mugwort tea for a number of ailments and smoked it instead of tobacco.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) also known as Moxa or Wild Wormwood has a variety of uses. The Romans wore mugwort in their sandals to protect against fatigue. In Pagan ceremony, a garland or belt of mugwort was worn while dancing around the fire during summer solstice celebrations. The herb was then thrown into the fire to ensure continued protection throughout the coming year.

“Medicinally, acupuncturist burn dried mugwort as moxa on acupuncture points of the body as an alternative to needles. Moxa is known in Chinese medicine to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi (life energy) and maintain general health, making this extraordinary plant beloved of healers and seers alike.”

Traditionally, fresh mugwort is put in sleep pillows to foster REM sleep and help people remember their dreams. It helps to regulate menstrual periods and bring on delayed or stopped menses. As a nervine, mugwort has a calming effect on the systems of the body.  Mugwort is a known traditional herbal remedy for worms; when used in small dosages over a specified period of time, it can be extremely effective. The herb can also be used as a bitter for improving digestion and increasing the appetite.

If you are out in the wild, you can find mugwort growing in and around its nemesis, poison oak.  Hiking various trails in the county, I’ve come across fresh mugwort in all the gullies and streams that have sprung up after the recent rains. Pick the flowering tops with small pungent cream flowers in mid to late summer for the strongest medicinal qualities.

The roots can also be collected and dried in the autumn. Try picking fresh mugwort and putting it in a muslin bag or pouch with lavender for relaxation. You can add any of your favorite herbs or flowers. Stick the bag under your pillow and see how it improves your sleep and helps you remember your dreams. Mugwort is safe for children too.
*(If you are allergic to poison oak, I don't recommend trying my friend's remedy).

 

How Much is too Much

I can’t say enough to women about the chances they take when they get a mammogram. Even though I was against radiation, 20 years ago when my doctor suggested that I get an annual mammogram, I set up an appointment without hesitation. The procedure didn’t feel right, it was depressing, but like many other women I was convinced that this was something I had to do to prevent breast cancer. I have probably had a dozen mammograms. But there will be no more since I learned about Thermography.
I’m not an expert on breast cancer, mammography or thermography but I do understand the fear associated with the disease. The fear of radiation exposure vs. a lump growing. Discovering earlier detection and no radiation with thermography has removed that fear. I get angry when I see or hear mammograms promoted as a safety measure. I still have questions about radiation; for the answers I call the expert, Gaea Powell, CTT.
How much ionizing radiation is too much for a body to handle? Are we radiation tolerant? Do all levels of radiation have the potential of creating disease?
No one is radiation tolerant. This has been researched extensively and is just common sense at this point. Anyone being subjected to ionizing radiation should aggressively question any healthcare provider about the need to use radiation to determine good health, whether it be your dentist, MD, mammographer, radiologist, etc. All levels of ionizing radiation can cause cancer. Your body stores all the ionizing radiation you are exposed to throughout your lifetime.
Radiology is BIG BUSINESS. What more do we need to know?
Examples of Thermography vs. Mammography.
Breast Thermography is an effective, highly sensitive state-of-the-art technology. It is harmless, safe and easy. Non-Invasive, Empowering. Creates Risk Assessment. Provides opportunity for prevention and intervention. Is 99% Sensitivity, 90% Accuracy, 90% Specificity. Thermography can detect physiological abnormalities 8 to 10 years before a mammogram can detect a mass
Mammography
Dangerous Ionizing Radiation (1000 times more radiation than a Chest X-ray). Compression can rupture and metastasize a tumor. Painful, Humiliating and Barbaric. Can cause cancer. Fear based. Digital Mammograms are just as dangerous as regular Mammograms. Mammograms lead to unnecessary biopsies (80% are benign).
Natural and harmless alternatives like Thermography are a wiser choice.  These alternatives give us the opportunity to avoid disease.  Proper diet, exercise, stress management and hormone balancing are crucial. Getting back to basics and using good common sense is the key to vibrant longevity.
Some great  resources: CentralCoastThermography.com, Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life, The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones.
Sandra Marshall and Gaea Powell are on a mission to protect women from exposure to unnecessary radiation.

The Cleansing Weed

With the recent rains the hillsides have turned from drab browns to beautiful shades of green.  Cows and horses are happily munching their spring tonic…grass.  While grass helps to cleanse animals digestive systems, Mother Nature also provides humans with an abundance of spring tonic herbs that assist the body in cleansing as well.
The most important organ involved in cleansing is the liver.  The liver has over 500 things to do, including making bile, cholesterol, and enzymes, and assisting in regulating blood sugar levels.  However, its main function is detoxification.  Unfortunately, we are constantly bombarded with toxins from polluted air, contaminated water and substances we knowingly and unknowingly ingest on a daily basis.  For many of us, the liver is struggling to do its job, either due to toxin overload or because we lack the specific nutrients the liver needs to properly detoxify. 
 Most experts agree that spring is an excellent time to begin a cleansing program.  Mother Nature, in her infinite wisdom, comes to the liver’s rescue by providing us with specific herbs and plants to help rejuvenate the liver just when it needs it the most…right before allergy season hits.  Many cultures have cleansing routines built into their everyday lives.   For example some Native American and Finnish cultures make a practice of sweating (through sweat lodges and saunas) to purify the body and reduce heavy metal toxins. This gives the liver a much-needed break by sending toxins through the skin rather than the liver.  For many of us in western culture, however, such practices are largely absent or completely forgotten.  As a practitioner, I encourage my clients to cleanse two to three times a year, preferably at the change of seasons.  Common benefits include renewed energy levels, substantial reduction in pain, and significant weight loss.
One of my favorite liver tonics is dandelion.  What many consider to be a nuisance weed actually has wonderful properties to help rejuvenate our livers.  Dandelion greens are an excellent addition to salads, which when eaten at the end of a meal helps stimulate bile secretions due to their slightly bitter taste.  Dandelion root can be decocted (slowly simmered), and makes a delicious beverage with a taste similar to coffee. Rather than depleting the body’s mineral supplies like coffee, this drink is rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium and trace minerals that are essential for a properly functioning liver. 

Dandelion Green Salad

  1 bunch dandelion greens
  2 eggs hardboiled and sliced
  1/3 cup walnuts -- toasted
  1 large leek 
     Dressing
  1 clove garlic
  ¼ teaspoon salt
  1 shallot, diced
  4 teaspoons lemon juice
  5 teaspoons olive oil
  white pepper to taste
 
Wash and cut dandelion greens into bite-sized pieces.
Slice 2 hardboiled eggs.
Sauté leek in butter or grapeseed oil until crispy.
Mash together garlic with salt and combine with all other dressing ingredients.  Place in pan and heat gently until warmed.  Pour over dandelion greens.  Toss gently.  Top with egg and toasted walnuts.

The Equinox Detox is a non-fasting cleanse class.  Participants will determine their toxicity score, be provided with the basic cleansing protocol and will form alliances to support each other. Class will meet on three consecutive Wednesdays beginning March 17th.  To participate call Lisa Saslove, MS, RD at 305-0774.

 

Herbs in My Garden: Coriander

Coriander (Chinese parsley) is considered an herb and a spice since both its leaves and its seeds are used as seasoning condiments. Fresh coriander leaves are known as cilantro, a cooling Ayurvedic herb used in many culinary traditions and in Latin American, Mexican, Indian, Thai and Chinese cuisines.
Dating back to 5000 BC, Coriander is one of the oldest recorded spices; it is mentioned in Sanskrit text and the Bible. The Romans used coriander to flavor breads and combined it with cumin and vinegar to preserve meat. The Chinese believed that coriander brought immortality. It is thought to have aphrodisiac qualities.
Cilantro/coriander has been used as an "appetite" stimulant. The flavors enhance other herbs and spices. Fresh coriander roots are used as a base flavor for Asian soups and chili pastes. Cilantro is a good source of dietary fiber and iron, magnesium and manganese.
Coriander is a strong digestive aid and helps relieve diarrhea and colic in children. It has beneficial effects on the circulatory and respiratory systems and strengthens the urinary tract. Coriander seeds are considered to have cholesterol lowering properties. Overall, coriander is a very versatile herb for healing.
Cilantro is a fast growing annual. The entire plant, including the leaves, the seeds and roots, is edible. Choose a slow-bolting variety for our Central Coast climate. Plant cilantro in the fall and winter as it likes cooler weather. Grow in full sun with moist soil. Let some of the plants bolt and produce flowers. The resulting seeds can be picked when they are yellowish-brown in color.  The simplest way to dry the seeds is to put them in a brown paper bag and place in your car or other warm area until dry.
When dried, seeds can be stored in a glass jar in a cool, dry place. Roast the seeds to increase the aroma and then grind the seeds with a mortar and pestle to give the freshest quality to individual recipes. Try adding grown coriander with other spices like turmeric and cumin to soups, stews, and sauces for a healthy yummy zest.

 

Herbs in My Garden: White Sage

White Sage (Salvia apiana) has been a sacred herb of Native-Americans for centuries.  White sage has played a big part in native purification ceremonies by smudging, the process of burning the leaves to cleanse areas of negative energy. Many tribes throughout southern California, including the tribes north of Santa Barbara, kept small baskets of white sage seeds and other food on hand stored for the winter. The seeds were ground and mixed with flour to make into small biscuits which were a staple for tribes of the central and southern California coastlands. The Chumash and other California tribes also ate leaves and stems of white sage. Leaves of white sage were smoked, made into a tea, and used in sweathouses to cure colds. White sage leaves were also used by some tribes as a shampoo to clean their hair and to keep it from turning gray.

White sage is still used today in tinctures, teas, and salves for its healing benefits. Hot sage tea can help to break a fever and induce perspiration. A cold tea decreases sweating, salivation, and mucous secretions in the sinuses, throat, and lungs and also can be a good stomach tonic. White sage also helps to balance out the menses. Sage is excellent for skin abrasions and rashes. It can be used in liniments, salves, and tonics for the skin.

Salvia apiana grows on slopes and canyon walls and requires well-drained, fairly dry soil and full sun. Excessive watering of white sage, especially during summer months, may kill the plant. White sage is particularly good for restoring disturbed areas. White sage grows largely from north of Santa Barbara south to Baja California as it likes the heat. Those folks I know who have found white sage in San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties usually keep their spot secret as it is very difficult to find here due to the colder temperatures. However, it can be planted next to a building to allow the plant to absorb more warmth and avoid the frost.

Many health food stores and alternative shops carry white sage bundles for smudging.
According to native purification rituals, light the sage bundle over a fireproof bowl. Gently blow out the flame so it continues smoldering. If the smoke burns thick and white, it indicates that the area contains negativity and needs more cleansing. It is also believed that the sage stick must burn itself out, not be put out. The tradition states that when a place has been neutralized, the sage will naturally go out. Of course, be safe and never leave the sage bundle unattended or near flammable objects. Burning sage leaves in a sauna is also a great purification of body and mind. This ritual is an excellent one for wiping out lingering negative experiences and welcoming in the New Year and decade.

More Articles...