WELCOME TO AVOCADESS'S BLOG

 

April 20, 2013

 

It is news from three years ago, but this may very well be the first you have heard of it, because the powerful megacompany whose mission is to own all of the food in the world and owns a significant amount of the land in the world does NOT want you to know about it. Please read -- and share with your friends and any farmers you know or meet. You will be doing a service to the Earth and its creatures as well as humanity as a whole. The Earth loves us. Let's all love her back...!  -- Avocadess

 

From Project Censored:

 

New Evidence Establishes Dangers of Roundup

 

Apr 29, 2010

 

Sources:

 

Third World Resurgence, No. 176, April 2005
Title: “New Evidence of Dangers of Roundup Weedkiller”
Author: Chee Yoke Heong

 

Faculty Evaluator: Jennifer While
Student Researchers: Peter McArthur and Lani Ready

 

¤

 

New studies from both sides of the Atlantic reveal that Roundup, the most widely used weedkiller in the world, poses serious human health threats. More than 75 percent of genetically modified (GM) crops are engineered to tolerate the absorption of Roundup—it eliminates all plants that are not GM. Monsanto Inc., the major engineer of GM crops, is also the producer of Roundup. Thus, while Roundup was formulated as a weapon against weeds, it has become a prevalent ingredient in most of our food crops.

 

 

Three recent studies show that Roundup, which is used by farmers and home gardeners, is not the safe product we have been led to trust.

 

 

A group of scientists led by biochemist Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini from the University of Caen in France found that human placental cells are very sensitive to Roundup at concentrations lower than those currently used in agricultural application.

 

 

An epidemiological study of Ontario farming populations showed that exposure to glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, nearly doubled the risk of late miscarriages. Seralini and his team decided to research the effects of the herbicide on human placenta cells. Their study confirmed the toxicity of glyphosate, as after eighteen hours of exposure at low concentrations, large proportions of human placenta began to die. Seralini suggests that this may explain the high levels of premature births and miscarriages observed among female farmers using glyphosate.

 

 

Seralini’s team further compared the toxic effects of the Roundup formula (the most common commercial formulation of glyphosate and chemical additives) to the isolated active ingredient, glyphosate. They found that the toxic effect increases in the presence of Roundup ‘adjuvants’ or additives. These additives thus have a facilitating role, rendering Roundup twice as toxic as its isolated active ingredient, glyphosate.

 

 

Another study, released in April 2005 by the University of Pittsburgh, suggests that Roundup is a danger to other life-forms and non-target organisms. Biologist Rick Relyea found that Roundup is extremely lethal to amphibians. In what is considered one of the most extensive studies on the effects of pesticides on nontarget organisms in a natural setting, Relyea found that Roundup caused a 70 percent decline in amphibian biodiversity and an 86 percent decline in the total mass of tadpoles. Leopard frog tadpoles and gray tree frog tadpoles were nearly eliminated.

 

New studies from both sides of the Atlantic reveal that Roundup, the most widely used weedkiller in the world, poses serious human health threats. More than 75 percent of genetically modified (GM) crops are engineered to tolerate the absorption of Roundup—it eliminates all plants that are not GM. Monsanto Inc., the major engineer of GM crops, is also the producer of Roundup. Thus, while Roundup was formulated as a weapon against weeds, it has become a prevalent ingredient in most of our food crops.

 

Three recent studies show that Roundup, which is used by farmers and home gardeners, is not the safe product we have been led to trust.

 

A group of scientists led by biochemist Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini from the University of Caen in France found that human placental cells are very sensitive to Roundup at concentrations lower than those currently used in agricultural application.

 

An epidemiological study of Ontario farming populations showed that exposure to glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, nearly doubled the risk of late miscarriages. Seralini and his team decided to research the effects of the herbicide on human placenta cells. Their study confirmed the toxicity of glyphosate, as after eighteen hours of exposure at low concentrations, large proportions of human placenta began to die. Seralini suggests that this may explain the high levels of premature births and miscarriages observed among female farmers using glyphosate.

 

Seralini’s team further compared the toxic effects of the Roundup formula (the most common commercial formulation of glyphosate and chemical additives) to the isolated active ingredient, glyphosate. They found that the toxic effect increases in the presence of Roundup ‘adjuvants’ or additives. These additives thus have a facilitating role, rendering Roundup twice as toxic as its isolated active ingredient, glyphosate.

 

Another study, released in April 2005 by the University of Pittsburgh, suggests that Roundup is a danger to other life-forms and non-target organisms. Biologist Rick Relyea found that Roundup is extremely lethal to amphibians. In what is considered one of the most extensive studies on the effects of pesticides on nontarget organisms in a natural setting, Relyea found that Roundup caused a 70 percent decline in amphibian biodiversity and an 86 percent decline in the total mass of tadpoles. Leopard frog tadpoles and gray tree frog tadpoles were nearly eliminated.

 

In 2002, a scientific team led by Robert Belle of the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) biological station in Roscoff, France showed that Roundup activates one of the key stages of cellular division that can potentially lead to cancer.

 

Belle and his team have been studying the impact of glyphosate formulations on sea urchin cells for several years. The team has recently demonstrated in Toxicological Science (December 2004) that a “control point” for DNA damage was affected by Roundup, while glyphosate alone had no effect. “We have shown that it’s a definite risk factor, but we have not evaluated the number of cancers potentially induced, nor the time frame within which they would declare themselves,” Belle acknowledges.

 

There is, indeed, direct evidence that glyphosate inhibits an important process called RNA transcription in animals, at a concentration well below the level that is recommended for commercial spray application.

 

There is also new research that shows that brief exposure to commercial glyphosate causes liver damage in rats, as indicated by the leakage of intracellular liver enzymes. The research indicates that glyphosate and its surfactant in Roundup were found to act in synergy to increase damage to the liver.

 

UPDATE BY CHEE YOKE HEONG

 

Roundup Ready weedkiller is one of the most widely used weedkillers in the world for crops and backyard gardens. Roundup, with its active ingredient glyphosate, has long been promoted as safe for humans and the environment while effective in killing weeds. It is therefore significant when recent studies show that Roundup is not as safe as its promoters claim.

 

This has major consequences as the bulk of commercially planted genetically modified crops are designed to tolerate glyphosate (and especially Roundup), and independent field data already shows a trend of increasing use of the herbicide. This goes against industry claims that herbicide use will drop and that these plants will thus be more “environment-friendly.” Now it has been found that there are serious health effects, too. My story therefore aimed to highlight these new findings and their implications to health and the environment.

 

Not surprisingly, Monsanto came out refuting some of the findings of the studies mentioned in the article. What ensued was an open exchange between Dr. Rick Relyea and Monsanto, whereby the former stood his grounds. Otherwise, to my knowledge, no studies have since emerged on Roundup.

 

For more information look to the following sources:
Professor Gilles-Eric,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Biosafety Information Center,  http://www.biosafety-info.net
Institute of Science in Society,  http://www.i-sis.org.uk

 

From: http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/articles/13-new-evidence-establishes-dangers-of-roundup/

 

 

April 19, 2013

 

IF LONGEVITY WAREHOUSE IS NOT DAVID WOLFE'S COMPANY, WHY DOES HE ALLOW THEM TO USE HIS NAME SO FREELY AS IF IT WERE HIS?

¤

Someone asked this question today of David Avocado Wolfe, and I think it's a good question and can understand that many may wonder about this.

 

 

I cannot speak for all of David Wolfe's reasons for doing what he does, one but one super-obvious and HUGE reason for his allowing Longevity Warehouse to use his name so freely (besides his very long and close friendships with the people who run it) is the fact that there are still easily tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people "out there" who STILL do not know that Sunfraud -- er, Sunfood -- is NOT David Wolfe's company. He was forced out of that company by very unscrupulous people, including one son of a man who was the CEO of Monsanto for ten years. THAT REASON ALONE is a GREAT reason to put his name all over the Longevity Warehouse -- especially since David decided some years ago that he no longer wants to work in that end of business. He would rather go out and do his lectures, retreats, farming and other super adventures!

 

I have heard David Avocado Wolfe speak many times of how much he trusts the people who run Longevity Warehouse, how he loves working with them when they put on the Longevity Now Conferences and Women's Wellness Conferences and how much he trusts them to purchase and distribute products only from companies that have impeccable standards.

 

I have also heard David Avocado Wolfe talk about how when he first went out and talking to people about great new superfoods he had found -- or healing herbs or whatever -- he discovered that people were actually ANGRY with him because he was telling them about these things and not providing them a way to get hold of them. So many of these products are NOT available at stores where people live -- or may be of dubious quality. That was why he decided to start Sunfood -- and it is a real tragedy for us all that his company was usurped by those who clearly have no love or passion for selling the best foods ever.

 

The fact is, David Wolfe -- in my opinion -- needed a company like Longevity Warehouse that he could trust to provide superior products and many of the products he turns people onto. In a way, his not owning the company but having his name attached to it is really like a "match made in heaven" -- trusted old friends with whom he has worked with for years who also have a passion for health and providing people with the best products ever!

 

How beautiful can this day get?! Wishing you the best day EVER....!!

 

Michele "Avocadess" Deradune

 

 

April 18, 2013

 

 

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DEER PLACENTA, COLOSTRUM AND DEER ANTLER

 

 

Some raw vegans have been making a big hoopla with a petition against a few of the leaders in the raw food movement because they educate about and sell a few animal products (such as deer placenta, colostrum and deer antler). The fact is that just like there is a huge difference between buying eggs from those who truly pasture their hens (and do not feed them any GMO corn) and factory farms, the same is true in the marketplace for things like deer antler: to be compassionate and humane to the deer, there are places to go AND places NOT to go for this product. Those who feel using any of these products -- no matter what -- is an inhumane act will gain more hostility from the world than not, and may be guilt-tripping others who may truly have a need for one or more of these products.

 

I learned a little bit more from David Avocado Wolfe's post today where he said, "First: deer grow and lose their antlers every year. Most antlers left in the forest are eaten by supposedly vegan squirrels. Second: antlers are not bones, they are antlers. Third: Just because one farmer or person abuses animals doesn't mean all farmers or people abuse animals. Fourth: I work with one deer keeper (not actually a farmer) who allows the deer a safe place to sleep at night, but other than that, they roam the wilderness freely. Fifth: Antlers must be removed surgically and very carefully without damaging the deer. If the deer is damaged, infection could set in, and the deer could die — a great loss to any deer keeper. Sixth: Once the antler is removed, it regrows. Seventh: These deer are protected from hunting."

 

One other thing I learned again today (but had forgotten about) is that when the tips of the deer antler are removed surgically, the deer is anesthetized. (I got this from an article by National Geographic.)

 

 

Folks like The Longevity Warehouse -- as well as Jing Herbs, Dragon Herbs and some others (no doubt including RawFoodWorld.com and Surthrival.com) are actually doing a SERVICE by providing such products ONLY from sources they have found to be humanely treating the deer (or cows). Deer placenta is not eaten by the deer; it is the afterbirth and neither the mother deer or the baby are harmed or denied anything. Deer antlers in my opinion is where you MUST -- if you want to use it -- really look into how it is procured.

 

 

Colostrum is the first milk of the mother with special extra nutrients for her young. Some cows produce very little colostrum, and taking from those cows would deny their young needed colostrum. But other cows – inexplicably – produce maybe 30 gallons of colostrum, all coming out of one cow. We all know there are factory-farm stables and there are conscientious stables.

 

 

I personally use none of these products -- except eggs, which those companies mentioned above do not sell and which I buy locally. For those who need these products and want to use them, I implore you to buy them only from reputable places like The Longevity Warehouse, Dragon Herbs, Jing Herbs and The Raw Food World -- where one can trust that more than a symbolic effort has been made to ascertain that these products are from conscientious places with compassion toward the animals.

 

If and when one DOES research these places, why are the vegans not going after the companies that DO cut the antlers all the way down to the top of their head? (I have seen photos of them doing this in China!) It is a mistake to go after the very companies that are modeling the correct way to do this -- taking only an amount that will not cause the deer any pain nor hurt the deer. People have been taking deer antler for thousands of years and if it can be done -- for those who want it -- by causing no more pain than cutting a toenail, THAT is the way to do it. These companies that ARE conscientious and do not harm the deer should be PRAISED rather than hounded for selling the product at all. They are, at the very least, offering a HUMANE alternative!

 

People fighting over whether one should be a strict vegan, a beegan, a vegetarian, a pescatarian or an omnivore is a huge waste of time and emotion. When we want to show others that we have a better way, can you think of anything better than simply setting a good example? "You'll catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar," is an old saying I think appropo here.

 

In the end, whether a person be a "tarian" or a "vore" of whatever color, I truly believe that all humans in the end will thrive best and healthiest when we have learned to not only give animals love and compassion, but other humans too!

 

One last word here:  I learned today that David Avocado Wolfe has not personally derived ANY of his income from Longevity Warehouse sales for many months now. He makes his money elsewhere. Those who pay attention will notice that he is speaking at different events around the world nearly non-stop -- and in none of his talks have I heard him urge people to use any of these products. He does NOT make ANY money from these products, and in fact is not out to "get rich." He wrote a great article about why he is NOT a millionaire last year:

 

http://longevitywarehouse.blogspot.com/2012/01/why-i-am-not-millionaire-by-david.html

 

How beautiful can this day get?! Wishing you the best day EVER...!

 

Michele "Avocadess" Deradune

 

 

April 17, 2013

 

VEGAN versus NOT-SO-VEGAN

 

"Many long-term vegans, pregnant vegans, and children who are vegans don't fare well without specific types of supplementation (superfoods, long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin K2, etc.) and sometimes animal foods are needed to bring back balance. No matter how much fuss haters posing as vegans create, it is still not ethical to disguise this. These are issues that need to be discussed and debated with ethical cruelty-free solutions instead of attacks. Veganism has its place, its beauty, and its role in our world; but taken to the extremes that Freelea recommends (no supplements, no sea salt, no superfoods, low fat/protein, no oils, no herbs, no flexibility, etc.) it can damage people, their teeth and bones, their gall bladders, their skin, their nervous systems...in both the short and long term." -- David Avocado Wolfe

 

His blog with more on this topic is here:   https://www.longevitywarehouse.com/Articles.asp?ID=605

 

Another topic on this subject of vegan versus not-so-vegan is the use of honeybee products. There is much to show that bee products are of great help to the health and longevity of humans, but when the hives are treated as merely a commercial industry things go way wrong:  all of the honey is taken from the hives and beet sugar (not even cane sugar which is much more healthful) is put back into the hives for them to eat, not even leaving them enough of their own honey to live on!!!!

 

There are of course other things that are done to bees which are not only wrong and mean, but also pesticides -- and most especially pesticides manufactured specifically for genetically modified (GMO) crops are shown to be causing the death of entire hives of bees.

 

It is not my intent to write an exhaustive treatise on beekeeping as there are others who can do a far better job of that than I, but I will no longer TOUCH honey that is not certified organic or literally grown in the wild and untreated. (Out of curiosity I tasted the honey out of a little honey packet like they give to people at restaurants -- Oy Vay!!!! I don't know WHAT that was, but other than its sweetness it tasted nothing LIKE honey...!)

 

Lastly, since this is my personal blog, I will mention that I currently do not eat a vegan diet not only because I will sometimes eat honey but because I also eat eggs -- which may or may not be something I will continue to do. However I do not buy any eggs unless they are from LOCAL farms where I feel assured by any number of signs that they are not ever fed GMO and run around in pastures, etc. I know that some people will hate me for eating eggs (and any other animal products), but I am finding my own balance and continuing to set my sights to walking -- and eating -- on this planet in a way that feels good and right. In time I may become totally beegan (that is, if someone were to look at my diet it would look vegan other than the contributions from the bees and who knows, maybe I will eat ants -- an ancient Chinese medicinal food high in vitamin B12 among other things).

 

How beautiful can this day get?!  Wishing you the best day EVER!!

 

Michele "Avocadess" Deradune

 

 "Don't hold back the love. This world needs it more than you'll ever understand!"

 

 

 

The "Black Sun" orgonite pendant is smaller than I expected -- about one inch in diameter -- and I LOVE it...! (Makes it easier to wear under my blouse, as I plan to do!) The orgonite stix are exactly the size I expected and I just love them! I was holding one in each hand for a number of minutes and then felt them -- very much so -- like a pulsing sensation in my hands. I felt SOME activity in the kundalini as well (that energy that goes up and down the spine). I am so STOKED...!!!