Springtime blossoms fill the air with soft, sweet scents; while painting the vast green covering with an array of color. With different shades and sizes, buds and leaves, the blossom sends a message that the renewal of spring has sprung!

Cherry blossoms, for instance, are quite symbolic in Japan. They represent mortality, with their amazing beauty and quick death. For this reason, they are often used in Japanese art, music and film; depicting a metaphor of the cycle or nature of life.

As blossoms fade and wither, they leave an incredible legacy behind. For they do not bring down the life of the plant itself, they merely shed their annual skin. Blossoms represent the beauty and innocence within, and give promise to a new year of growth.

SALON SANOTINT GRAND OPENING! For everyone who is looking for a safe, gentle, permanent hair color with excellent gray coverage that also nourishes and conditions your hair, welcome to Salon SanoTint. We offer a full service hair salon, in the European style, featuring SanoTint hair care products. Salon SanoTint is located within the offices of VIVASAN USA, at 770 Smithridge Drive, Suite 350, in Reno (near the corner of So. McCarran behind the Smithridge Plaza). Hours are Mon. – Fri. 10:00am to 5:30pm and Saturday 11:00am to 3:00pm. Salon service is by appointment only at this time. Please contact VIVASAN USA, 775-826-8482.

“THE SAFE AND HEALTHY HOMES 5K RUN/WALK WILL BE HELD AT IDLEWIDE PARK IN RENO ON APRIL 21, 2012 AT 9 AM. The event benefits the Committee to Aid Abused Women (CAAW). Entry fee until April 1 is $30 and will then increase to $35.”

“TASTE FOR JAzz #5” WILL BE HELD THURSDAY APRIL 26TH 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM AT THE ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT SPA TO BENEFIT LOCAL FAMILIES SERVED BY CARE CHEST OF SIERRA NEVADA. The Mardi Gras themed event features wine tasting from exclusive regional wineries including Bogle Vineyards & Winery, Groth Vineyards, King Estate, McManis Family Vineyard, Rutherford Wine Co., Sausal, Schweiger Vineyards, Steele Wines, Trentadue Winery and many more. Attendees can sample delicious creations by local chefs from Arrow Creek, Jazz: A Louisiana Kitchen, Men Wielding Fire, PF Chang’s, Campo, Roundabout Catering, Ruby River Steakhouse, Whole Foods and Wild River Grille. Entertainment by Reno Sax Man will bring the jazz to life and an auction will feature large format wines, trips, dinners, golf, entertainment and even live artwork being created during the event. Proceeds will provide FREE medical supplies, emergency prescriptions, diabetic items and liquid nutritional support for Northern Nevadans in need. CARE Chest helped 1,668 LOCAL families during the first two months of 2012 alone. This service is made possible through efforts like “Taste For Jazz” and other generous community support. Tickets are available online at www.carechest.org, $75.00 per person; reserved tables of 8 are $650. For more info all CARE Chest (775) 829-2273 or visit www.carechest.org.

RENO’S EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT IDLEWILD PARK IS ALIVE AND WELL THIS YEAR. The event has been held in Reno for over 40 years, drawing crowds of almost 8000 people at its best. A new group has picked up the event and with the help of many volunteers and businesses in the community, this year will be another year to remember with a three armed theme: The Natural World, Many Cultures and Green Technologies. The festival will showcase local entertainment all day on 2 stages with performers of all types – local bands and musicians, circus acts and acrobatics, martial arts and magic, dance exhibitions and more! Earth Day vendors and organizations have come together again to offer a wide variety of crafts and products, educational information and fun activities to learn about our planet and sustainable living. Activities include scavenger hunts, festival blackout and raffles with prizes announced all day long, including live broadcasts from several radio stations. Everyone has come together this year to keep the tradition alive and make the event a success. Join us Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Idlewild Park in Reno for family fun in a truly community event.

Help create a cover canvas for upcoming issues of Healthy Beginnings Magazine

Enter the 2012 Cover Photo Contest and show off your artistic talent.

Deadline for the contest is July 1st. 2012

HB is looking for unique shots of fruits, herbs and vegetables to use for six magazine covers. Go to HBmag.com, review previous covers of fruits, herbs, and vegetables; please do not duplicate.

Six photos will be chosen. Each chosen photo will be published on the Cover of the magazine. Winning photos will also be displayed on our website.

Tell us in 100 words or less why you chose that subject. Email photo and description to to publisher@hbmag.com. * Winner/s that are chosen will sign a release form.

Like an egg gently nestled in the grass, waiting for a child to find it like hidden treasure, our Earth awaits a similar fate. It is sought after, poked, prodded, and literally eaten over and over again. Its contents are highly valuable, which creates a competitive hunt. We change its color, look and physical state. It is a true prize to be won, paid for through blood, sweat and tears.

Unlike the festive and jolly Easter egg, the Earth is not always revered in the same light. Some simply see it as a housing unit for our physical existence; it is not worthy of our respect or care. It is a means to an end. Some don’t see it at all…

Similar to the chicken or egg theory, it is profound to know which came first. In our history, Earth existed before mankind. It is older and wiser, and should be treated as such. Even the animals and plants inhabiting our planet truly tap into the Earth’s natural cycles. They follow its lead.

No matter what views you hold, those who live on this planet should handle it with care. We should only be humbled by its vast complexities.

PAGE STEGNER, A FORMER TRUCKEE CONTRACTOR OF 25 YEARS, TRANSFORMED HIS PASSION FOR MUSIC INTO TAHOE PIANO LESSONS IN 2010. “Simply Music,” an in- tegrative and revolutionary Australian-developed piano and keyboard method that offers a breakthrough in music educa- tion, is now available in the Reno and Truckee communities. This program has students of all ages playing a variety of mu- sical styles, with a curriculum of contemporary, jazz, classi- cal and accompaniment songs, learning 30-50 songs their first year. Play great-sounding music from day one! For more infor- mation and a FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION, go to www. tahoepianolessons.com or call (530) 414-4464.

MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION (MBSR) is a way of learning to become aware of whatever is happening in this moment. By developing this skill it is possible to be- gin to take charge of one’s own life by simply noticing what is happening in the mind and body while it is happening. equilibrium-mbsr offers an eight week program that will help integrate the qualities of mindfulness into your day-to-day life. Allowing you to experience deeper feelings of connectedness and happiness. Find out more about mindfulness or our free introductory class. Give us a call today at 775-322-8181 or visit our website at www.equilibrium-mbsr.com

ATTENTION: MASSAGE THERAPISTS, SPAS, & HEALING CENTERS Touch, smell, and feel first. No more ordering on-line. Mandala Massage Supply & Apothecary offers mas- sage supplies and specializes in carrying natural bulk prod- ucts for crafting massage oils, aromatherapy blends, soaps, lotions, and natural medicines. Mandala can help you cus- tomize your own blends to help make your practice complete, give your clients fresh, pure, healing products and aromather- apy scents. Prices are lower or comparable to online without the shipping. Local business support is always a plus for the community. Free consultation with a professional aromather- apist and herbalist. Mandala Massage Supply & Apothecary 775-322-3252

SILVER SAGE HEALING IS CELEBRATING THEIR GRAND OPENING, Serving Northern Nevada with Reiki healing, ani- mal healing and more. When our bodies are unbalanced, we are more prone to illness. Reiki balances our life energy and promotes healing of the body and mind. Silver Sage Healing offers Reiki and Reiki Drum healing, which incorporates Reiki with healing sound vibrations. A session can include free live Native American flute music to accompany your session at your request. The company also offers animal healing, and handmade semi-precious healing stone jewelry, with custom orders available. Find out more at silversageboutique.com/

THE NEVADA WOMEN’S ExPO CELEBRATES ITS 10TH AN- NIVERSARY ON MARCH 31-APRIL 1 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. One of the many features for this year’s event will be the the EXPO-nential Woman Awards program, recognizing women who have made positive contributions in our communities. Nominations are open through February 15, 2012, and anyone may submit a nomination. Nominees and their nominators will be recognized on the Expo website, at the Expo, be eligible for a $100 shop the show drawing and also will be eligible for show prizes. Details for nominations available at: http://www.facebook.com/NevadaWomensExpo (Expo-Nential tab) http://www.NevadaWomensExpo.com

“Simply Music,” an integrative and revolutionary Australian-developed piano and keyboard method that offers a breakthrough in music education, is now available in the Reno and Truckee communities.  This program has students of all ages playing a variety of musical styles, with a curriculum of contemporary, jazz, classical and accompaniment songs, learning 30-50 songs their first year.  Play great-sounding music from day one!  For more info and a FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION, go to www.tahoepianolessons.com or call (530) 414-4464.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a way of learning to become aware of whatever is happening in this moment.  By developing this skill it is possible to begin to take charge of one’s own life by simply noticing what is happening in the mind and body while it is happening. equilibrium-mbsr offers an eight week program that will help integrate the qualities of mindfulness into your day-to-day life.  Allowing you to experience deeper feelings of connectedness and happiness.  Find out more about mindfulness or our free introductory class visit our website or give us a call today. equilibrium-mbsr  775-322-8181

www.equilibrium-mbsr.com

Attention: Massage Therapists, Spas, & Healing Centers

Touch, smell, and feel first. No more ordering on-line.

Mandala Massage Supply & Apothecary offers massage supplies and specializes in carrying natural bulk products for crafting massage oils, aromatherapy blends, soaps, lotions, and natural medicines. Mandala can help you customize your own blends to help make your practice complete, give your clients fresh, pure, healing products and aromatherapy scents.  Prices are lower or comparable to online without the shipping. Local business support is always a plus for the community. Free consultation with a professional aromatherapist and herbalist. Mandala Massage Supply & Apothecary 775-322-3252

The Nevada Women’s Expo celebrates its 10th anniversary on

March 31-April 1

at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.  One of the many features for this year’s event will be the the EXPO-nential Woman Awards program, recognizing women who have made positive contributions in our communities.

Nominations are open through February 15, 2012, and anyone may submit a nomination. Nominees and their nominators will be recognized on the Expo website, at the Expo, be eligible for a $100 shop the show drawing and also will be eligible for show prizes.

Details for nominations available at:

http://www.facebook.com/NevadaWomensExpo (Expo-Nential tab) http://www.NevadaWomensExpo.com

Organic Farming Expert Eliot Coleman

Bestselling author, researcher and farmer Eliot Coleman presents two days of workshops for the Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute.  “Four Season Farming” meets Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., at Reno High School Theater, Cost is $75 by January 27, and $85 afterward. Lunch is included.

Sunday, Feb. 12, at Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way, Sparks. Session 1 is 10:30 a.m.-noon, and Session 2 is 1:30-3:00 p.m. Cost per session is $45 before January 27 and $50 afterwards.

Registration is required as enrollment is limited.   Ann Louhela -775-351-2551 or louhelaa@wnc.edu.

Nevada Humane Society Launches New G.I. Dogs Program

Transforming Abandoned Animals into Service Dogs and

Pets for Veterans

Thousands of Nevada’s military personnel are returning home confronted with reintegration into civilian life at a time when our country and especially our state is facing tough economic challenges. On top of that, many of these men and women also face the burden of physical and psychological disabilities.

It has been shown that pets help decrease signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression, even decreasing the amount of medication used to control such conditions as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Science is confirming what animal lovers knew all along—people with pets live healthier, happier lives.

Nevada Humane Society’s G.I. DOGS program was the brainchild of Mitch Schneider, a veteran, experienced dog trainer, and former manager of Washoe County Regional Animal Services. It will provide both service dogs and companion pets for Nevada’s military veterans at no cost to the veteran. The most suitable animals will be selected for this program from the thousands of animals that are abandoned each year. Service dog requests will be made through appropriate veteran services organizations and these dogs will be trained to perform specific tasks that meet the needs of the individual veteran. Companion pets are completely free to all military veterans as well as the immediate families of active duty and fallen military personnel.

All pets are spayed or neutered, micro-chipped and vaccinated; veterans will also receive free pet food and a starter kit of supplies. Veterans requesting a companion dog will be assisted in the selection of their dogs through an experienced dog trainer.

Pets help people weather stressful experiences, including loss and loneliness. This program will take these benefits to a new level—transforming abandoned animals into service dogs and pets for the benefit of our veterans. It saves the lives of homeless pets and gives veterans a chance to lead happier, healthier lives.

For more information on the G.I. DOGS program, call at 775-856-2000.

When I was asked to take over Lois Ehlers’ culinary column in this wonderful health magazine, I felt I couldn’t do so without writing a transition tribute to Lois, who was one of the most active, energetic, creative, and compassionate women I have ever known. She was my mentor in many ways, especially in the kitchen. She also happened to be the “matriarch” of our large family after our mother passed away, and most of all, my beloved eldest sister.

The mother we shared, with our eight brothers and two sisters, was famous in our rural area for “making something out of nothing” when unexpected company arrived at meal- time. Most people looking in her cupboards would think she was some sort of magician; as there were no “pre-fab” meals there, but rather a copious amount of “staples.” That dying art of real home cooking was passed on to Lois, and thankfully, to me. Over the past decade, I have seen a resurrection in appreciation for meals that please the palette and satisfy the soul, even if they do take more time in the kitchen. In fact, many start right in the home organic garden, as mine do.

Lois was passionate about “homemaking” in general, and about cooking and baking in particular. I remember many times during my high school years, while staying with Lois’ family, she would devise some new recipe, either by accident or design, and experiment with it until it became a delight!

My sister Lois knew there was much more to turning out a delicious, nutritious meal than just the mechanics of it. She knew that the most important “secret ingredients” in any recipe or meal were love and generosity. Sharing her culinary creations with family and friends gave Lois immense satisfaction, and those who shared her table some of their most memorable meals.

Thank you, Lois, for having been a “staple” in my life…and in my kitchen.

Kate Maxon

Lois Maxon Ehlers waltzed into this world at the end of a long prairie winter, on March 29, 1932, the fourth child of twelve, and the first daughter, of L.E. (Lornie) and Mary (Ament) Maxon.

She continued her dance of life with spontaneity, energy and creativity. From a young age she learned to sew her own clothes, which was a great help to her big ranching family during the Depression. Her tireless energy helped her mother “mother” her eight younger siblings…and sometimes her older ones too! She kept everyone entertained with her own cowboy answer to Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn with her characters, “Buckwater Pete and Farley Blue.”

While teaching Home Economics and Physical Education in Wakpala, S.D., Lois met and married Lt. O. Kirk Ehlers, a graduate of West Point, De- cember 28, 1955. Together they raised six children while being stationed in Germany and different parts of the U.S.

Before moving to Spearfish, Lois taught in the high school at McIntosh, SD, and also worked for Social Services in Timber Lake, SD. She left her job in Timber Lake to care for her mother in McLaughlin, SD. After her mother passed away, Lois made her home in Spearfish, SD, where she married Richard (Dick) Titus in 2002.

For the last six or seven years, up to the spring before her hospitalization, Lois was enrolled in the Grandparents Program at Spearfish Coop- erative Preschool where she read to the children, made scrapbooks and sewed animal costumes for them.

Lois was truly her father’s daughter, making friends out of strangers everywhere she went, throughout her entire life; she carried in her heart her mother’s faith and kindness as well, making her one of the most memorable of women.

RE-ENERGIZE yourself this year with natural scents in FRESH, LUSH perfumes, bath salts, & moisturizing oils. Reno’s new natural product apothecary and massage supply store. We carry all the basics for therapists and spas along with pure bulk ingredients for cosmetic crafting, vibrant essential and exotic oils, and introducing the generously endowed with therapeutic aromas, Temple of Life spa products to be enjoyed by everyone. Come sit at our Aroma Bar, smell yummy oil blends, and create fresh, customized gifts for pampering yourself or others. We provide an experienced staff and a peaceful place with ambiance to get inspired.

NEW LENDING LIBRARY POLICY: STARTING JANUARY 2012 PLEASE HELP! - For five years now, we resisted applying fines for overdue items, but we have lost close to $5K in books, DVDs, and CDs from our lending library! We have many items that have been overdue for months, even years. Therefore, we updated our library policy to include a three day grace period for overdue items, and on the 4th day, a fine of $.25 per item/per day will be applied. Please return/renew all overdue items before January 1st, 2012. Thanks! For more info, call 530-550-8981 or email info@goodnesssake.org.

BLOSSOM INSTITUTE

Are you struggling towards your future or powerfully guiding yourself? Are you ready for a profound life transformation? New groundbreaking program offers an in-depth and comprehensive template towards self-mastery as you become a certified Holistic Health Practitioner. Free introductions to Holistic Health Degree Program Dec 29th & Jan 5th  6:30 – 8pm, Blossom Institute.

BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2012, ALPENGLOW SPORTS CHALLENGES THE TAHOE BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITY TO A CUMULATIVE GOAL OF 15 MILLION VERTICAL FEET OF UPHILL TRAVEL. This is the region’s first ever free, community–wide fundraising initiative, benefitting the Sierra Avalanche Center. The ultimate payoff: $3,000 donation to the Sierra Avalanche Center, given by Alpenglow Sports.

The event continues to April 30, 2012, and data will be recorded at www.tahoevertical.com. Podium prizes will be awarded for the top three men and women, and best camera edit pertaining to the event. Any skier/rider who registers data is also eligible for a bimonthly raffle! For more info, go to www.alpenglowsports.com.

The annual Lake Tahoe Women’s Wellness Weekend will be hosted by Granlibakken at the Granlibakken Conference Center & Lodge in Tahoe City, November 12-13. The event fuses Eastern tradition with Western practices to offer a balanced weekend of information, inspiration, activities, food & wine. Registration is only $99. For information, call (530) 583-4242 or call 1 (800) 543-3221 to register

Nutritional Zeal for Life

Zeal for Life is an All-In-One natural nutritional drink.  A synergistic blend of whole food concentrates providing an excellent source of nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins.  Zeal targets the 7 major health challenges: Heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Weight Gain, Body Discomfort, Low Energy and Poor Immune System.  Contact John for a Free issue of “The Doctor’s Report” (775) 232-6767

The Business of Farming

Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute offers a QuickBooks workshop to help small farm owners learn accounting fundamentals. Workshop led by Marie Gibson, Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisor, university instructor, and member of Intuit’s National Speaker/Writer Network. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 7-8, 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., at WNC Fallon campus, 160 Campus Way in Fallon, NV. For information/registration, contact Ann Louhela at 775-351-2551 or louhelaa@wnc.edu

Message from the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe
Many people have been forced to give up their pets due to the slowing economy.  The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe wants to help ensure people can keep their animals and that all pets are healthy and well fed. If it is financially difficult for you, or someone you know, to feed their pet the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe can assist with your pet’s nutritional needs. Give them a call at (530) 587-5948 or (530) 581-3199 to learn how to obtain free pet food.

REIKI AND CHRONIC PAIN

Many clients comment that Reiki does reduce or remove the intensity of pain.  Reiki also balances your body energies, induces relaxation, reduces stress, removes energy blockages, and aids in detoxifying the body.  An ancient Japanese method.  A spiritually guided life force energy that promotes healing. Betty Franklin, Reiki Master, Deeksha/Oneness Blessing Giver, Ear Candling, Tarot & Angel Card readings. Carson Valley, Reno, Lake Tahoe Regions (775) 790-0767

During her experience in TV, Radio and Newspaper, Ffjorren fine-tuned her writing and editing skills. She also worked closely with corporate marketing teams, developing pitches, slogans and overall advertising campaigns for T-Mobile and CBS radio.

She began writing free-lance articles for HB magazine in May, 2007. Ffjorren is excited to take on the role of Editor and is looking forward to providing professional, effective and ethical standards when addressing the content of Healthy Beginnings Magazine.

Ffjorren currently resides near the San Francisco Bay Area. She and her four children visit Reno and its surrounding areas as often as their schedule allows. She enjoys a plethora of outdoor activities including running, hiking and skiing. She is also heavily involved in her
local theatre and music community.

This summer, she will instruct three youth drama camps. She will perform in “A Streetcar Named Desire” as Stella, this coming fall.
Her children also keep her busy. Ffjorren’s three-year-old twins are involved in tennis and swimming. Her 12-year-old daughter plays basketball and soccer. She is currently writing her first book. Her two-year-old son loves the water and is looking forward to soccer this fall. He recently perfected his “Cookie Monster” voice.

We all have busy lives and the world around us adds to the pressure and speed of our daily routine. It is comforting to know that “local” still exists. Healthy Beginnings Magazine offers intelligent, well-researched and inspiring information. Our readers anticipate articles that are global-forward, yet offer solutions at the local level. While keeping her eye on the future, Ffjorren is happy to continue that tradition.

Your editorial comments are always welcome. E-mail Ffjorren at editor@hbmag.com.

To find your nearest e-waste collection site, check out the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s web site, http://ndep.nv.gov. Use their Programs drop-down menu and select “e-waste”. You can also call the Northern Nevada contact, Chet Sergent, 775-687-9466 or in Southern Nevada, Kathryn Fergus, 775-486-2850 ext. 251.

Written by Mike Adams |

MASSIVE MEDICAL FRAUD EXPOSED

Here’s a must-read article for anyone interested in learning how the pharmaceutical industry really operates. It’s a case of aggressive marketing gone bad, with a mixture of corrupt physicians, underhanded payola and a near-total disregard for patient health. And yet it’s business as usual in the pharmaceutical industry: drug maker Schering-Plough, one of the largest drug companies in the world, has been outright bribing physicians to prescribe drugs and operate sham clinical trials.

Here’s how it would work: doctors who prescribed the drug company’s products and avoided competing drugs were paid “consulting fees” of tens of thousands of dollars. And what kind of consulting did these doctors do? The kind of consulting that requires nothing more than signing a blank sheet of paper and cashing the check, of course. And thousands of doctors participated in this criminal scam, collecting untold sums of money in exchange for hyping Schering-Plough’s pharmaceuticals to patients. (Medical ethics, anyone?)

Doctors were paid even more money to conduct fraudulent clinical trials that would require patients to take the drugs for twelve months at a time, which of course rang up even more drug profits for the manufacturer and resulted in more kickbacks to the doctors. That’s right, they’re literally playing doctor with your life while pocketing the drug money.

If all this sounds outrageous, think again. This is precisely the kind of criminal activity that now typifies the pharmaceutical industry and organized medicine in general. These companies will do anything to make a buck, including outright bribing doctors with lavish meals, free gifts and even trips to Hawaii and other exotic destinations, all under the guise of “continuing medical education” (CME) courses. It’s all a scam, and the vast majority of physicians just go right along with it, pocketing the benefits and dosing up their patients with whatever drug they’ve been told to prescribe.

Prescription drugs are so profitable – some drugs are now sold at more than 500,000 percent markup over the actual cost of their raw ingredients – that drug companies will do practically anything to sell more pills. They invent fictitious diseases and urge doctors and parents to dose their children with powerful narcotics. They conduct fraudulent clinical trials, making sure to bury any negative results that would show how dangerous their drugs really are. They buy the favor of the media by pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into magazine, television, newspaper and online advertising. They pressure the FDA into delaying the ban on extremely dangerous drugs in order to squeeze out another twelve months of profits even while patients are dying from drug-induced liver failure.

And the scam works: drug profits are up. Way up. Meanwhile, the American people are sicker than ever. Drugs aren’t helping the population at large, all they’re doing is turning the United States into a nation of chemical zombies who suffer from the extremely toxic side effects of taking dozens of prescriptions in combination.

It’s the greatest con in American history. It’s the racket of the millennium. The drug companies are running the show, cutting off drugs from Canada, monopolizing the U.S. market, running the FDA, bribing doctors and killing patients all the while. Even based on statistics from conventional medicine, prescription drugs are right now killing 100,000 Americans each year and injuring another two million. And that doesn’t count the tens of thousands of additional deaths caused by NSAIDs and over-the-counter

painkillers.

It’s not an exaggeration to call this a medical holocaust. These drug companies seem determined to dose the entire population with as many simultaneous prescriptions as possible, as long as it generates profits for their shareholders. Business ethics are nowhere to be found in the pharmaceutical industry these days: it’s all about money, profits, power and control.

And the funny part about all this is that these drugs are almost entirely unnecessary. There’s not a single chronic disease that’s actually cured or reversed from any prescription drug in existence. All these drugs do is treat symptoms and barely keep the patients alive long enough to write another check to cover their growing medical debt. Chemotherapy is a sham and has absolutely no scientific merit whatsoever. (Yes, it shrinks tumors, but it adds nothing to a patient’s lifespan.) Statin drugs are a con, and yet they’re being over-prescribed for all sorts of chronic disorders that actually need to be treated with nutrition and exercise, not drugs. And over-the-counter drugs are both extremely dangerous and highly ineffective. NSAIDs kill some 40,000 patients each year from intestinal bleeding – and yet offer no real benefit to patients that couldn’t be achieved from simple changes in diet and exercise.

The FDA, meanwhile, watches all this and focuses its own efforts on discrediting herbal supplements like ephedra. The agency seems determined to outlaw or regulate all nutritional supplements, thereby making vitamins illegal and practically guaranteeing another decade of outrageous profits for drug companies. It’s no surprise: most FDA employees used to work for drug companies (or plan to in the near future). Many FDA employees maintain strong financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry. They’re simply out to crush the natural health industry and thereby boost their own personal profits from pharmaceuticals.

Modern medicine is in shambles, folks. It’s a train wreck. We’re sicker, fatter and more depressed than ever. And the really good advice that people need isn’t reaching them. Good health is really simple, as it turns out. Get lots of natural sunlight on your skin daily. Eat super foods like chlorella and spirulina. Avoid all refined carbohydrates and processed foods. Ban soft drinks from your life. Never touch cigarettes. Pick up strength training, yoga, Pilates, cycling, jogging or some other physical exercise activity. And breathe, people. Breathe consciously. Your body needs oxygen. Learn how to put yourself in control of your own health.

In a way, the massive fraud now being exposed in Western medicine is a blessing in disguise. Big Medicine has gone so far over the top with aggressive marketing and downright evil (if not criminal) tactics that the whole profiteering orgy is going to come crashing down on them. Big Medicine will soon be history – remembered as just a moment of insanity in the history of modern civilization. Some day, people will say, “Do you remember when the whole country was dosed up on chemicals?” They’ll shudder with the thought of it – how we were all duped by the drug companies, by our family doctors, and by the Bush Administration’s complicity in the whole scheme. They’ll ask, “How could an entire country go mad like this?”

Reprinted from www.naturalnews.com

How To Get Rid of

Unwanted Direct Mail at Home and at The Office

Is your mailbox cluttered with junk mail? Have you ever asked yourself how some of these companies even got your mailing address to begin with?

Every time you provide your name and address when buying a product you’re signing up to receive direct mail pieces. This occurs when you buy a car or a house, use a shopping card, sign up for a credit card, subscribe to a magazine, buy something from a catalog, give money to a charity, or fill out a product registration form. Once signed up, your name is put into a database for that company. Often companies will

rent out their database lists to other businesses for direct marketing.

There is a way to cut back the amount of direct mail you receive. By contacting the Direct Marketing Association you can register to have your name removed via the Mail Preference Service. This will take your name off most major catalog list rentals. You can register online or by mail. The Direct Marketing Association also allows you to pick and choose what direct mail pieces you receive. Sometimes it’s nice to not have to go the store to see what is on sale.

This year, go green by eliminating excess waste. You can end the annoyance of mail pieces that go straight from your mailbox to your trash.

To register by mail:

Mail Preference Service

Direct Marketing Association Inc.

Box 9008 Box 282

Carmel, NY 10512

To register online:

www.dmachoice.org

Despite partisan stalemate over a number of issues, the Nevada legislature made serious reforms in education, clean energy, and open government this session.

In a major education bill, the legislature passed an increased budget that, among other things, increases per-pupil spending by 13% over two years, funds after-school programs, provides incentive pay for teachers in at-risk schools and hard-to-fill subject areas, adds full-day kindergarten to 63 schools, and creates 29 “empowerment schools”, where principals and teachers have a greater say in how the school is run.

The Nevada legislature also passed a raft of clean energy & environmental legislation:

SB 422 enacted new rules that require the state to compile an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, although the provision of the bill that would have required mandatory emissions reduction was removed.

AB 115 increased staffing at the state Division of Environmental Protection to regulate and monitor mercury emissions.

AB 178 creates a net metering system that allows customers generating renewable energy to pump surplus power into the power grid and draw on credits later, while also banning the sale of low-efficiency light bulbs by 2015.

SB 347 encourages schools and other public entities to use renewable energy such as wind and solar, while creating new residential incentives for energy conservation by requiring utility companies to evaluate energy consumption for residential properties.

AB 396 restricted the power of Homeowners’ Association from restricting members from installing solar panels or other insulation measures to promote energy efficiency.

The state also fixed overgenerous tax breaks previously offered to “green” buildings.

• To promote more open government, the legislature expanded open meeting rules to apply to the state Tax Commission to bring greater scrutiny of large corporate tax breaks and require government bodies to make requested public records available within five business days.

• On criminal justice issues, the legislature expanded “good time” credits to encourage the release of more than 1200 inmates in the next two years. The legislature also changed the treatment of mentally ill people convicted of crimes by restoring a “guilty but mentally ill” plea abolished in a previous session and maintaining treatment for inmates released from state hospitals.

• The legislature restricted payday loans and banned balloon payments and extensions at the end of the loan term. The bill also banned collection action against families of military personnel who are deployed in combat.

• While more comprehensive health care reform is needed, the legislature did pass a prescription drug card program, which lets all residents acquire the cards for free and secure a roughly 20% discount on drug prices.

For more info, go to:  http://www.organicconsumers.org/state/NV.cfm