organic-101: can GMO's be used in organic products?


 The use of genetic engineering, or GMO is prohibited in organic products.

  To meet the USDA organic  regulations, farmers and processors must show that they are not using GMO,  from farm to table

The gist is:
No matter where it was grown, if a product has the USDA organic label on it,  it was not produced with GMO......
Read more at.....

The use of genetic engineering, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is prohibited in organic products. This means an organic farmer can’t plant GMO seeds, an organic cow can’t eat GMO alfalfa or corn, and an organic soup producer can’t use any GMO ingredients. To meet the USDA organic regulations, farmers and processors must show they aren’t using GMOs and that they are protecting their products from contact with prohibited substances, such as GMOs, from farm to table. - See more at: http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/05/17/organic-101-can-gmos-be-used-in-organic-products/#sthash.ZsV50ZYq.dpuf


Any certified organic operation found to use prohibited substances or GMOs may face enforcement actions, including loss of certification and financial penalties. However, unlike many pesticides, there aren’t specific tolerance levels in the USDA organic regulations for GMOs. - See more at: http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/05/17/organic-101-can-gmos-be-used-in-organic-products/#sthash.ZsV50ZYq.dpuf

the inspiration to exercise, real fun to watch!

GMO's ???? What are they, how are they made and affect our body?

We all come across the word GMO's in the news nowadays, and how health-oriented communities are trying to fight them back.

GMO Warning appeal.......EVERYONE all over the continents read up....so you know what you are being fed in your food for the last 10 yrs....and, it NOT good and Kosher!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTfuAbzAeB8

more information on

http://www.panacea-bocaf.org/geneticallymodifiedfood.htm

The ancient Yogic breathing being adopted for helping with High blood pressure

Finally, modern scientists accept the Yogic teachings of Breathing/Pranayama , and they will SELL it too, at $ 300 a machine...all US hypertensives, get prescriptions from your docs to buy thru ur Health benefit account, better still , learn it free at Yoga/yoga nidra classes ;))

RESPeRATE: Nonpharmacological Treatment of Hyperte... [Cardiol Rev. 2011 Mar-Apr] - PubMed result

sensible eating , even recommended by US goverment

Eating veggies and fruits, 5-10 helpings a day, keeps a man healthy, wealthy and wise
http://www.mypyramid.gov/index.html

Caloric Restriction Delays Disease Onset and Mortality in Rhesus Monkeys

Caloric Restriction Delays Disease Onset and Mortality in Rhesus Monkeys

Caloric restriction (CR), without malnutrition, delays aging and extends life span in diverse species; however, its effect on resistance to illness and mortality in primates has not been clearly established. We report findings of a 20-year longitudinal adult-onset CR study in rhesus monkeys aimed at filling this critical gap in aging research. In a population of rhesus macaques maintained at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, moderate CR lowered the incidence of aging-related deaths. At the time point reported, 50% of control fed animals survived as compared with 80% of the CR animals. Furthermore, CR delayed the onset of age-associated pathologies. Specifically, CR reduced the incidence of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and brain atrophy. These data demonstrate that CR slows aging in a primate species.

http://science-mag.aaas.org/cgi/content/abstract/325/5937/201

Ayurveda has been a proponent of Mita-Ahara (Mitahara) which means eating in moderation.

No binge diets or overeating according to Ayurvedic principle....that will surely get you in trouble. Healthy lifelong moderate eating habits are a norm to be followed. watch out for a healthy food chart in the next couple of posts.

In fact Ayurveda recommends moderation in everything, sleep, diet, exercises, emotions, even lifestyle, for e.g. moderate/less talking is recommended, which is greatly needed to conserve the spiritual enegy and not let it get wasted in saying the non-truth, even unintentionally.....

Moderation is the key for physical , mental and spiritual health and progress in life.....

if you have time, try contemplating on this for sometime, and send me you feedback if it strikes an inner chord :)

Back after a year's Sabbatical :)

The Sabbatical was not totally intentional, but lot of changes happened in the internal/external world....new home, new job, new location, new friends, new relatives, new contemplations, new lessons.....

In the end everything is for a higher purpose......so I surrendered completely and hope to maintain that equanimity....though it is not easy ;)
will be more active now since I am back in action.....
with love to all.....

Happy Deepavali

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Deepavali.

May the light of love, compassion, truth and knowledge dispel the darkness, misery and ignorance from our lives.

सभी को दिवाली की हार्दिक शुभकामनायें

Produce label tricks to know their origins

You can buy a fruit or a veggie from any market, but always pay attention to the produce codes on the labels.

FOUR DIGIT NUMBERS (they all begin with 3 or 4) denote conventionally grown, non-GMO produce (that is, grown with chemical pesticides and fertilizers but not genetically modified)
FIVE DIGITS BEGINNING WITH AN 8 means the produce is GMO, genetically modified
FIVE DIGITS BEGINNING WITH A 9 means it is ORGANIC

so definitely stay away from the number 8's :)
http://www.plucodes.com/docs/IFPS-plu_codes_users_guide.pdf

Guru Purnima

wishing everyone a beautiful and blissful Guru-Purnima :)
Let us bow in devotion to the supreme remover of darkness from our life.....

61 Point Relaxation, taught by Swami Rama of the Himalayan tradition

A wonderful pre-meditative/relaxation technique adapted from http://www.swamij.com; as taught by Swami Rama from the Himalayan Masters traditions.

61-Points Exercise

The 61-Points exercise is subtler than the Tension/Release or Complete Relaxation practices (61-points is online). You will find that this leads you to a deeper state of calm and quiet.

As you go through the points, you may experience the points as gross body, such as skin, muscles, or bone, or you may experience the points as a feeling awareness. However you experience the points is okay--you cannot do it wrong. If you "see" with your inner eye, that's okay. If you do not "see" with your inner eye, that's okay too. You may experience darkness, or you may experience light, such as a point of light like a blue star. Any way that you experience it is okay. Just gradually, systematically learn where the points are and move from one to the next.
To move from one point to the next every couple seconds, or one or two breaths should be a comfortable speed. If you move too slow, you may find your attention drifts away, so it is better to go just a bit faster through the points. If you go too fast, you will have the benefit of easily moving through the points, but may lack depth in the practice. It is best to experiment with the timing.

Forehead, throat
Right shoulder, right elbow, right wrist, tip of right thumb, tip of right index finger, tip of right middle finger, tip of right ring finger, tip of right little finger, right wrist, right elbow, right shoulder, throat
Left shoulder, left elbow, left wrist, tip of left thumb, tip of left index finger, tip of left middle finger, tip of left ring finger, tip of left little finger, left wrist, left elbow, left shoulder
Throat, space between the breasts, right breast, space between the breasts, left breast, space between the breasts, navel, lower abdomen
Right hip, right knee, right ankle, tip of the right big toe, tip of the right second toe, tip of the right middle toe, tip of the right fourth toe, tip of the right little toe, right ankle, right knee, right hip, lower abdomen
Left hip, left knee, left ankle, tip of the left big toe, tip of the left second toe, tip of the left middle toe, tip of the left fourth toe, tip of the left little toe, left ankle, left knee, left hip
Lower abdomen, navel, space between the breasts, throat, forehead
The 61-Points exercise is an excellent practice for entering Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep), which is a state where you are in deep sleep, yet are awake. Yoga Nidra is deeply relaxing, and is used by the yogis to deal with samskaras (the deep impressions that drive karma) in their latent form.

Sensible Quote :)

"Yesterday I was clever. So I wanted to change the world.

Today I am wise. So I am changing myself.”

Fibrocystic breast disease

Fibrocystic breast disease is a condition of breast tissue affecting an estimated 30-60% of women. It is characterized by noncancerous lumps in the breast which can sometimes cause discomfort, often periodically related to hormonal influences from the menstrual cycle.
These lumps are smooth with defined edges, and are usually free-moving in regard to adjacent structures. Women with fibrocystic changes may experience a persistent or intermittent aching in their breasts related to periodic swelling, esp. close to the menstrual cycle. If a lump is new, persistent, growing, hard, immobile, or causing skin deformities, you should see a health care professional.

The causes of the condition are not fully understood, though it is known that they are tied to hormone levels ( estrogen and prolactin), as the condition usually subsides after menopause. It is also related to the menstrual cycle and to dietary conditions, also to family history. Dietary factors include caffeine intake from coffee, black teas, colas, and chocolate, as well as excessive saturated fat and salt.

This condition is often easily diagnosed by a doctor, though it may require a biopsy of the affected area. Mammography does not often work as the breast tissue is often too dense to allow for thorough examination. Aspiration with a very fine needle is used to drain fluid from larger cysts.
There is no cure for the condition, but symptoms may be reduced by monitoring caffeine and fat intake and wearing a well fitting bra. In severe cases a synthetic androgen may be prescribed.
There are usually no adverse side effects to this condition. In almost all cases it subsides after menopause. A possible complication arises through the fact that cancerous tumors may be more difficult to detect in women with fibrocystic changes. This condition does not seem to lead to increased breast cancer risk.

Besides eliminating certain foods from the diet (caffeine, saturated fats, and salt), a high-fiber diet, including many plant-based foods, fruits and vegetables, beans and peas, raw seeds and nuts, Sea vegetables (such as nori, kelp, and dulse) and whole grains may help prevent cyclical fluctuations in cyst size and tenderness. The addition of seafood to the diet, particularly fish, may be useful in preventing breast cysts due to the iodine content and healthy oils contained in certain fish. The best fish for female health include those high in the Omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, trout, and mackerel.
Essential fatty acids sources (rich in linoleic acid: Evening primrose oil, Borage oil and black currant oil)
Vitamin A, Vitamin E supplements
Iodine supplements (Iodoral and IoGen) It is a good idea to do a thyroid workup before and after these supplements to make sure the thyroid function stays normal.
Di-indolyl methane (DIM), a compound derived from cruciferous vegetables that produces strong and favorable shifts in the ratio between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory subtypes of estrogen.


Ayurvedic recommendations:
Avoid:
Excessively hot and spicy foods: Aggravates inflammation
Alcohol: Aggravates inflammation, taxes kidneys
Regular Salt: Aggravates inflammation
Poor quality fats and oils: Causes inflammation and increases stagnation
Inorganic food: pesticides are renowned for increasing DHT (causing breast inflammation)


There are special Ayurvedic herbs and spices available in the market.

These are Kachnar Guggul, Mineral Pitch (Shilajit), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa),etc.
Turmeric is anti-angiogenic, and anti-inflammatory.
Guggul is an effective anti-inflammatory herb.

Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations:

Drink lots of warm water to purify the whole system.
Regular mild exercise, Yoga and Pranayama.

A diet of warm, cooked, easily digestible, light yet nourishing foods are best. Organic vegetables cooked in mild spices, whole grains, light proteins such as mung dhal soups, and sweet, juicy fruits will nourish the body and pacify all three doshas. Non-GMO Organic Soya products help reduce the amount of circulating estrogens in the blood. Eat whole brans because they contain zinc.


It's important to cook with mild spices that improve digestion, burn away ama, and pacify Vata dosha, but don't create heat in the blood tissue. Include a mixture of coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and small amounts of turmeric. Small amounts of black pepper and small amounts of fresh ginger also are healthy for maintaining breast health and balance.

Panoramic view of Ganges boat ride

This is amazing 3D panoramic photos....just like real life

Ganges Sunrise Boatride



view Panoramic photography of India

Silence is Golden.....

....or whatever colour you want it to be......

so go ahead, submerge in your being and experience it's beauty.

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A wandering soul

Couple of years back, I got to know an extremely interesting person who was sharing the same row enroute on one of my India trips. We got chatting, and he started telling me about the unusual changes he had made in his life, and the exiting travels, including one he was embarking on at that moment.

We kept in touch, and I got to know more about him through emails and reading his blogs....they are real fun to read, learn, and be inspired :)

Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.aliasjones.com/

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Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning

The MUM Review, 6.Feb. 2002, by Brynne Sissom

Dr. Travis asked his test subjects to read passages from the Bhagavad-Gita in Sanskrit and in modern foreign languages (Spanish, French, or German). In each case they could pronounce the sounds but did not know the meaning. He measured brain wave patterns (ERG), heart and breath rate, and galvanic skin resistance during two reading sessions and during a 15-minute session of the Transcendental Meditation technique.
He found that while they read Sanskrit their physiology was similar to those measured during the Transcendental Meditation technique, but significantly different from reading a modern language.
Read More at: http://sanskrit.ebharat.in/reading_sanskrit_improves_brain_functioning
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let's try to get vegan lunch option in schools

it's good for the universe in every which -ever way!

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/vegan_school_lunch_options

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Happy New Year!

Wishing every being in the universe a life full of joy, love, peace and Bliss !

दुनिया के सारे जीवों को नव वर्ष की शुभ कामनायें
सबका जीवन शान्ति , खुशी व प्रेम से भरपूर हो!

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Never too late :)

'It is never too late to be what you might have been'

George Eliot