Sunday 15 December 2013

Living in a Toxic World


There is no doubt that we owe Monsanto a huge expression of gratitude. Thanks to their bio-engineering genius we are now faced with a global toxic contamination of our food supply. (Do I sound facetious?) From recent reports I’ve read the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) developed by Monsanto are now finding their way into the natural environment.

Globally we are facing a major disaster as the toxins from GMOs permeate all levels of the food chain. Yet, thanks to Monsanto’s bio-engineering feats more people worldwide are waking up to the dangers that toxic chemicals create in our environment and bodies. In fact, Monsanto’s actions are resulting in a huge ‘wake up’ call for humanity.

This wake up call is long overdue. Globally we are facing food shortages not experienced before. It’s already happening, it’s not something that we can ignore or hope that someone else will take responsibility for. The solution needed to turn around the current state of toxicity in our environment and food chain requires action from every person living on the planet.

If you think that I’m being exaggerating the situation then I urge you do some serious research and you’ll soon begin to become concerned and hopefully take action to reverse the current trends.

For example, currently food shortages worldwide have resulted in price increases for staple foods of 35-40% worldwide; chemically engineered crops are not meeting demand and in many instances are not surviving due to erratic weather patterns. Initially when the concept of mono-cropping was introduced in the 1950s and 60s we were promised larger crop yields. The exact opposite has happened as GMO plants are creating soils depleted in essential minerals and trace elements that are essential for the human body’s functioning and wellbeing.

GMOs are only one source of toxicity affecting the planet and its inhabitants. A trip to the local supermarket is remarkably revealing. Just about every product – whether food, household or personal care – contains toxic chemicals. Read the labels carefully and you’ll soon see what I mean. Jack LeLane, fitness guru who lived into his mid-nineties is quoted as saying, “If it’s man made don’t eat it.” Obviously he was referring to the refined and processed foods that are stocked on supermarket shelves in vast quantities.

These links below will give you more of a sense just what is happening to our bodies as a result of continuous and ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals. There is no shortage of information on chemical toxins on the internet, though you may not find much, if any, reference to this danger to our health in the mainstream media.






The Human Energy Field
As an energy practitioner I rapidly became aware of the subtle bodies and their vital role in maintaining wellness and good health. Most people look to the physical body as the indicator of health, but in fact it’s in the subtle bodies where wellness or illness first begin. As this is such a complex topic I’m going to narrow my focus on toxic chemicals and their deleterious impact on the human energy field.

Most people acknowledge that we all have an aura – I much prefer the term ‘human energy field, but both terms are equally valid. There are many layers to this subtle energy emanation that extends beyond the physical body. Everything that happens in life impacts the energy field. This includes our thoughts, emotions and actions as well as our interactions with the environment and other people.

In my early days as a student of the human energy field I became aware of its extreme sensitivity to its surroundings. I learned about the many things that damage the energy field. When there is damage to the energy field it begins on the outer edges and over time as more damage occurs it goes deeper and deeper into the energy field until such time it reaches the physical body. It’s been widely acknowledged by many practitioners (and also doctors) that cancer develops long before it manifests in the human body. In fact, it may take 8 to 11 years before showing up physically.

Ultimately all the damage done to the energy field is caused by toxins – whether they be toxic thoughts and emotions or chemical toxins. Chemical toxins are already implicated as a possible contributor to breast cancer. It is our daily inhalation and ingestion of chemical toxins that weaken and damage the human energy field that eventually results in the possibility of chronic and even life threatening illness conditions.

Each day we are exposed to up to 80,000 toxic chemicals. The FDA in the States has not tested for the safety on humans for most of these chemicals. We live in a veritable sea of toxins that will have some long term damaging effect on health and wellbeing.

Reducing Effects of Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
It is only by taking a proactive approach that we minimize the damaging impact of these toxic chemicals. Some of the suggestions below may be self-evident but nevertheless it’s up to individuals to ensure that changes in lifestyle are adopted and maintained as exposure to toxic chemicals is an ongoing process – unfortunately!

1.   Eat organic foods as much as possible. If unable to afford the additional cost then at least ensure that the ‘Dirty Dozen’ (listed in my last blog “Why Organic is Best”) fruits and vegetables are organic. The Dirty Dozen are sprayed with high amounts of pesticides and herbicides.

2.   Read all labels carefully. Where ingredients are unpronounceable then don’t buy!

3.   Familiarize yourself with personal care and household products that contain dangerous and toxic chemicals, and avoid them. Take time to look for products that are more natural and organic, containing plant based ingredients.
4.   Make meals from scratch using natural and organic ingredients as much as possible.

5.   Avoid fast foods! There are healthier alternatives.

6.   Eat a lot of vegetables and some fruit daily. In fact, limit intake of meat products. Modern animal husbandry involves dipping animals in toxic chemicals at some stage and these chemicals then permeate into the meat that is sold to consumers.

7.   Undertake intermittent fasting. This means not eating for 12+ hours from time to time (preferably at least once a week) as this supports the body in its ability to assimilate and metabolize, and it also gives the liver a break from its workload.

8.   Drink green juices such as wheatgrass regularly. I begin each day with fresh organic juice containing lots of greens as they assist in purifying the blood.

9.   Take spirulina and chlorella supplements. These have been found to support the body in the removal of toxic heavy metals. Organic cilantro/coriander is also a powerful food for the elimination of toxic chemicals.

10.                Avoid processed foods as much as possible. Many of the processed foods sold commercially have been bleached to ensure ‘whiteness’ and cleanliness of the product. For example, while flour itself is not necessarily overly toxic to the human body the fact that it undergoes whitening with bleach means that toxins are then ingested. Dioxin is highly toxic to the human body and is a component of many bleach products.

11.                If you are female then use natural unbleached feminine products sold in health food stores. Commercial feminine products sold in supermarkets and chemists have been bleached with dioxin, which actually results in increased bleeding.

12.                Spend time outdoors daily. This assists in the removal of toxic electromagnetic frequencies that build up in the body due to constant exposure to wi-fi technology.

13.                Ensure your home is well ventilated. Most household products, from carpet to furnishings contain formaldehyde and other toxic ingredients.

14.                Use therapeutic grade essential oils as room fresheners. Avoid the chemically laden room fresheners that line the supermarket shelves.

15.                Use natural therapies for supporting and maintaining wellness. I use therapeutic grade essential oils but also love homeopathic essences, herbal tonics as well as eating healing foods.

These are only some suggestions for avoiding and eliminating toxic chemicals. Having awareness of the dangerous impact of toxic chemicals on the human energy field, and eventually the physical body, is only the first step. Becoming better informed and then making safer choices goes a long way to maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle.


Wednesday 27 November 2013

Why Organic is Best!


Pictures taken at permaculture property in November 2013. The proteas (on left) are native to South Africa but grow strongly in Australia.




Recently I had the good fortune to spend a few days on a permaculture property, eighty acres in size. Spending time on this property was a real restorative and eye opener in so many different ways.

However, I’ll begin at the beginning. As a young child I grew up with parents who believed in growing as much of their own produce as possible. Our small suburban block was filled with seasonal vegetables, berries, some herbs and an array of fruit trees. My memories are filled with days playing in the rich loamy soil, grabbing a handful of fat worms and watching their antics as they attempted to get back into the darkness of the world they inhabit.

At the end of the growing season my father would dig deep into the earth and enrich the soil with animal manure, hay and other nitrogen enriching substances. I watched him make his own sprays (non-toxic) to prevent pests from decimating his crops. Overall it was an enriching experience watching small plants grow from seed and mature into large plants bearing abundance, season after season.

Best of all was the delicious taste of homegrown tomatoes, strawberries and a multitude of produce that was harvested every year. In some ways this experience has resulted in my taste buds being ‘fussy’, wanting only quality organic produce and finding the mass produced non-organic fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets a poor and inferior tasting product.

In her book “Green for Life” Victoria Boutenko cites scientific research that shows the mineral and trace element differences between organic and conventionally grown produce. The differences are astounding, with organic produce having significantly larger amounts of the essential nutrients our bodies need for optimal health and functioning.

A clear example of the nutritional differences is found in spinach.
Organic spinach contains 28.56% total mineral ash, whereas conventional spinach contains only 12.38%. Calcium in organic spinach is 96.0 compared to 47.5 in commercially grown spinach. Trace amounts of iron in organic spinach are 1584.0 compared with 49.0 for conventional spinach.

Organic tomatoes contain 1938.0 trace amounts of iron per million dry matter compared with 1.0 in commercially grown tomatoes. Need I say more?

The whole continuum of minerals and trace elements in organic produce differs significantly from commercially grown produce. It is not just that organic tastes better, it actually contains more nutrients and health giving properties.

I hear many people say they can’t afford to buy organic as it’s too expensive. My question is, “Can you afford not to?” because ultimately poor diet has been shown to severely affect health.

I’ve learned that eating organic foods means:  (1) less food is needed to feel satisfied; (2) the body’s energy levels are increased; (3) feelings of wellbeing increase; and (4) ultimately the body’s immune system is strengthened resulting in fewer doctor’s visits, which in turn saves heaps on medical bills.

If you are unable to afford to buy all organic at least ensure you purchase these organic products, as the commercial produce is heavily contaminated by pesticides and herbicides and in the industry are referred to as the ‘Dirty Dozen’ – apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, bell peppers, nectarines, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes and hot peppers.

Investigative reporter Phillip Day (www.credence.org) has extensively researched the scientific and medical data and presents clear information on the correlation between wellness and healthy diet. He cites countless instances where severe, even life threatening illnesses have been healed due to individuals changing to consistent healthy eating habits.

If you aren’t yet aware of the dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our food chain then I encourage you to click on the link below and see what David Suzuki has to say about their harmful effects on health and on our environment.


By the way, organic foods are GMO free. Labeling of GMOs in commercially grown produce is not mandatory, and I can guarantee that no food manufacturer wants to see GMO labeling on their produce because they know it’s harmful to human health.

Permaculture – a sustainable agriculture
When I spent time on the permaculture property I witnessed some powerful agriculture practices.

1.   The land was free of noxious weeds due to the owner’s diligence in farming practices to ensure that the natural landscape was in no way denuded. Trees that had fallen down were left to decay, providing nourishment to the surrounding environment.

2.   Non-arable land had been converted to lush, productive growth using permaculture principles.

3.   Animal waste (from goats, ducks and chickens) provided natural manure to enrich soils and promote healthy plant growth.

4.   Animals were allowed to roam over vast tracts of land – ensuring that fertilizer and soil enrichment processes were ongoing.

5.   Garden beds were planted on top of the ground, and a mix of fruit bearing trees were planted to provide shade where needed.

6.   There was no mono-cropping (which promotes pests and plant diseases), instead a mixed variety of vegetables and herbs were grown side by side.

7.   No herbicides, pesticides or toxins at all were used.

8.   Love, joy and enthusiasm were evident in all the animal husbandry and growing practices I observed.

What can you do?
Even if you don’t have a backyard or an inclination to adopt permaculture practices it’s possible to make some changes to support the Earth and your local environment.

1.   Buy organic as much and as often as possible.

2.   Buy produce from local growers. Often they don’t spray their crops but cannot afford the horrendously expensive costs associated with being able to label a product ‘Organic’.

3.   Experiment with growing plants in tubs or in small garden beds. There is nothing quite like the taste of eating freshly hand-picked organic tomatoes. Yes, ensure that you use organic seeds for your produce!

4.   As you become more adept at growing your own produce then begin collecting seeds for next season’s garden.

5.   Read, study and experiment as much as possible. I love dehydrating my excess produce, making herbal concoctions, healing salves, etc. Often I have lots of success, other times I learn big time from my ‘mistakes’.

6.   Avoid processed and refined foods as much as possible. Make meals from scratch using organic ingredients at every opportunity.

7.   Try raw meals for a change. Feel the difference in energy levels and see how your skin glows. When more than 50% of your daily diet is raw you are feeding your body the essential amino acids needed for good health. Personally I prefer 75% or more of daily food intake to be from organic raw foods.

Benefits of Earthing
‘Earthing’ is the new term for connecting your body with the earth. As a young child I spent a great deal of time outdoors, rolling around on the ground and connecting with the earth. Nowadays most children and adults spend their days inside, eyes transfixed on a technology device. This means a great deal of the benefits of earthing are being missed.

Did you know that walking barefoot for up to an hour a day has tremendous health benefits? Ailments such as back, knee, hip and joint pain disappear and the body realigns itself naturally when walking barefoot. In addition, the toxins accumulated from exposure to ‘dirty electricity’ (electromagnetic frequencies from wi-fi etc) are released from the body and absorbed into the earth.

If you are interested in learning more about Earthing I recommend “Earthing” by Clint Ober. Websites containing extensive information and earthing tools include www.earthing.com, www.earthinginstitute.com and www.rawpleasure.com.au.

Reverting to natural growing practices and reconnecting with the healing properties of our amazing planet are a couple of ways of restoring wellbeing and optimal health.


The owner of the permaculture property exuded excellent health. Her body is robust and strong. Her skin glows. Her eyes are clear and strong. Her mind is sharp. As a senior she shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, she attests her wellness to living a simple, natural and wholesome life, connecting with the Earth and spending a lot of time being outdoors doing physical work. 

Saturday 26 October 2013

Life is Easy

I’ve just returned from Perth where I spent eight days working at the Conscious Living Expo (www.consciousliving.net.au). Or would it be more appropriate to say that the time was spent having a fun experience? Personally I prefer to refrain from using the word ‘work’ due to its connotation. During the time in Perth I had the good fortune to connect with many like-minded individuals. Again and again I heard questions such as, “When will society at large wake up? What’s holding up the shift? What can we do to change things?”

While these questions – and many other similar ones – seem to indicate possibly a feeling of powerlessness I’m inclined to view them as an indication of a shift in consciousness that is occurring. All too often it’s easy to blame governments and corporations for the status quo and to also bemoan the fact that change won’t happen until those in positions of power take the lead.

In a lengthy discussion I had with a friend we explored the role governments, agencies and other organizations will be playing in the coming years. My friend’s position is that it’s necessary for change to occur at the top levels of power, which at the moment appears to be very slim. My position is that change from within occurs in all walks of life first, and that this is likely to be impetus for change.

A participant in one of the workshops I held shared what I believe to powerful testimony to the fact that change is occurring. My summation of this information may not be 100% accurate but will attempt to explain it as clearly as possible. Recently a state government in Australia conducted a survey of the population, seeking information regarding the most important priorities and needs of the general population.

Normally with surveys such as this, issues such as education, health, welfare, etc are deemed to be a priority. Instead over 70% of respondents to the survey indicated a strong need for greater community activity and involvement. This is indeed heartening to hear and indicates that there is a shift occurring.

It’s apparent that systems are crumbling, that what we’ve been trained into believing is the only way to live isn’t working. There are many individuals worldwide who are still unaware that there are other possible options for living peacefully and in harmony.

This brilliant interview with Russell Brand will most likely help individuals begin reflecting and questioning more deeply. Hopefully it will go viral on the internet! He has a very clear grasp of issues and is definitely saying he’s not buying into the common beliefs and systems we’ve all accepted as being perfectly natural and a ‘normal’ way of functioning.


As I’ve said previously it’s all too easy to focus on the problems we face. Finding solutions however does not need to be too difficult. A wise friend commented that solution options need to be explored, assessed and found to be workable before we fully dismantle the existing systems and structures. I fully agree with him, but am also aware that we have a young population of aware beings who have the vision, grit and determination to ensure that changes happen.

We are only just beginning this journey of significant change. Ongoing climate and Earth changes will accelerate the process of change as we will be forced to explore other options for living on this majestic planet.

One individual has shared his moving story of how he discovered that life is easy. After attempting to live like everyone else he’s realized that the ‘normal’ lifestyle is hard work. His words are powerfully moving and a real reminder of how it’s possible to revert to an ‘easy’ life.



I hope you enjoy watching this video as much as I do. It’s inspirational and covers a lot of issues and concerns most of us would face once we begin making changes in how we live.

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Make a Difference

There is no doubt that the most effective way to create positive change is by beginning with oneself. This involves making changes within, in terms of how you see yourself and how you see yourself in relation to all others, including Mother Earth. Often making simple changes can lead to lasting change that has a healing and dramatic impact upon others and the planet.

The old ways of pushing for change are not going to work in our current climate of unrest and uncertainty. Once upon a time it was merely a matter of organizing rallies, protesting and focusing on what was wrong with a situation. Energetically that basically involves using the frequency of anger, hurt, defiance, etc to bring about change, when in reality all that resulted was more of the same energy.

In this new energy paradigm that we are in the process of moving into it’s vital that the frequency of love, compassion, tolerance etc are predominant. That whatever changes are wrought occur through the intention and manifestation of positive energy – as this is the only way to create higher frequency changes to support the new vibration that Earth and all on her are experiencing and stepping into.

For a long time I truly believed that the only way to create change was to maintain a strong spiritual practice, living with mindfulness, being in the moment with heartfelt gratitude and living in a state of unconditional love.

However, the realization finally dawned that this was insufficient! Doing the above things is essential but taking a proactive position in supporting the changes is vital to their successful implementation.

The process is really very simple and involves six stages (that I observe at this point in time):

1.    Change from within. Do the inner healing and attain a state of inner balance and harmony. Often easier said than done but constant practice and mindfulness gradually change the inner landscape from one of grief, hurt, anger etc into one of acceptance and peace.
2.    Make simple and practical changes in your everyday life. Sometimes this involves reducing reliance on plastics, growing herbs and vegetables, supporting local farmers’ markets, minimizing car usage, bartering, buying locally made products etc. Many simple changes reduce energy consumption and also support a simpler and more satisfying lifestyle.
3.    Find your passion. What is it that excites you? Begin to manifest that in some tangible way in the outer world. Often the passion does not fully emerge until the inner landscape is in harmony.
4.    Connect with like-minded souls. Connect with organizations and groups that share your passion. Develop common goals and aspirations and work in community.
5.    Take action to change the issues that are dis-harmonious, destroy the planet, weaken community etc. It is all too easy to complain about what is ‘wrong’. Instead focus on finding possible and alternative solutions. Writing letters and emails to elected politicians voicing suggestions for alternative solutions is a powerful way of creating constructive change, especially when many people take the initiative. Join organizations that are committed to creating strong community values and ensuring equity of resources, etc.
6.    Speak up. Share your awareness and understanding with others. While it’s not possible for everyone to be as strong and expressive as Mahatma Gandhi, it’s nevertheless possible to develop a strong voice, one filled with reason, containing solution based wisdom. Complaining is not an acceptable option as its energy is not going to achieve desired results!

So, where are you at this time? Every person has awareness and convictions. Channeling them constructively and in collaborative community co-operation is something we can all do!

Currently most people in our society are living in bondage to systems that demand we live a certain lifestyle. Here I refer to the endless feeling of being stuck in a rut, working for The Man, needing to pay for basic living costs, having limited choice options, being reliant on choices that are pre-determined by corporations, having a mortgage and generally not seeing a way out of the co-created reality that is primarily dependent upon a crumbling financial system.

And, let’s be totally honest, our financial system isn’t working. The high level of debt experienced by the average person attests to this. We are gearing our lives to a system that enslaves and keeps us in bondage – and all the time we hope (and pray) that the financial situation improves. Globally the situation appears to be even more disastrous.

While we continue subscribing to dated and failing systems (and beliefs) we continue creating more of the same. Winning the lottery isn’t likely to happen for the majority of people so what can we do to begin feeling more empowered and in charge of our life?

De-clutter your Life
If you are serious about changing the inner landscape, of making changes deep within then the first thing I often recommend is letting go of clutter. This may relate to physical clutter that is over-crowding your living space. It may be emotional and mental clutter. It may possibly even be the clutter of a life that is overly filled with activities and people, which keeps you from finding the space and time in which to reflect and clarify your priorities.
Just clearing the physical clutter leaves space for new energy to flow into your life. While it may be difficult to let go of books, music, clothing and personal stuff it is surprisingly restorative and energizing to do so.

Undertaking practices such as yoga, tai chi, meditation and living in the moment supports the de-cluttering of both emotions and mental processing. De-cluttering these is critical to the process of gaining clarity and stepping into a new phase of empowerment. It is only by letting go of extraneous stuff that clarity and insightfulness can occur.

Differentiate Wants and Needs
The second suggestion is to become clearer in relation to ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. Our society has adopted consumerism as a major lifestyle priority. Yet, I doubt this provides lasting satisfaction. In most instances the high that is evoked when a new product is purchased quickly diminishes. This means that additional consumerism is needed to maintain that artificial high. Instead, I recommend asking a couple of simple questions when contemplating yet another act of consumerism: “Do I need this?” and “Do I want this?” Once there is a clear and obvious response it becomes easier to say ‘no’ to the wants and to focus on needs only, thereby leaving energy and time to be gainfully employed in other satisfying and fulfilling activities.

Find Your Passion
Another suggestion for creating a state of self-empowerment and simplicity is to engage in activities that excite and generate a feeling of passion. Finding just what your passion is can be challenging as societally we’ve been conditioned to doing specific things because they’re expected of us. How often are we given the option to explore and experience our true passion? Connecting with what excites you, brings you joy and for which you feel a huge commitment is vitally important to wellbeing and physical health.

Let Go
Letting go means letting go of worry, stress and everything that decreases the enjoyment of life. It means learning to trust that everything happens for a reason and in a timely manner. It means that there is no need to control life – instead be in the flow and energy of life. Allow other people to be who they are and love them for their foibles and idiosyncrasies. Concentrate on yourself and follow your inner voice. Letting go also means letting go of ego! Ouch, that’s a biggie for most people but the more you do it the easier it becomes. The saying ‘let go/let god/goddess’ is highly relevant to nurturing the inner landscape.


There are no hard and fast rules for shifting your energy or for shifting into the new paradigm. It’s a gradual process and one that can easily be viewed as an adventure. It is often challenging, but with challenges comes growth. We’re all in this together, so let’s cooperate and aspire to achieving constructive outcomes for society and global community!

Friday 11 October 2013

It's Time to Stop Monsanto!

In recent years I’ve been observing a miraculous trend occurring! In many countries there has been a gradual shift towards growing vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs in home gardens. This trend is a reversal from the big agri-business mono-culture cropping, which was once touted as the solution to feeding the world’s masses.

That huge experiment, as we are all rapidly becoming aware, has been a total failure and disaster. Mono-cropping and bio-engineering of seeds and plants has resulted in the denuding of essential minerals and trace elements from soils;  the continual erosion of Earth’s top crust (topsoil) and the incredible depletion of prosperity in the farming community.

There are declining harvests in those fields that are being mono-cropped. We are now experiencing a critical lack of diverse food crops available for general consumption. ‘The Good Food Revolution – Growing Healthy Food, People and Communities’ by Will Allen is a great read for understanding the history of the farming industry in the United States.

On November 5th a critical vote will be taken in Washington State regarding the mandatory labeling of ingredients in foods. This vote is especially critical as it relates to the labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Monsanto, powerful bioengineering company, is spending millions (if not billions) of dollars to ensure that mandatory labeling does not occur. It has a vested interesting in controlling the food sources of the world.

If you are unaware of just who Monsanto is and the horrifying control it holds over our food supply you’ll find plenty of information on the internet. It’s no coincidence that many countries worldwide have banned GMOs. They are dangerous to the food chain and dangerous to the human body!

I’m including several links that I believe are important. Believe me, there is no shortage of information on the evils of Monsanto – and if I sound a tad emotional on this subject I make no apologies. The damage caused to the environment is irreparable and extensive! What appalls me even more is the fact that governments worldwide allow this to happen, and those who speak out against Monsanto’s monopoly and control are often silenced.

The Organic Consumers Association is seeking donations to their cause. They support mandatory labeling and are doing all that is possible to share their powerful environmental message. A dear friend has volunteered to seek donations for them. I encourage you to visit this site and donate in whatever way you possibly can. If we all share of our abundance we may just be able to ensure that our right to eat natural (non chemicalized) organic foods continues.


If you doubt that Monsanto is an evil company and believe it has our best interests at heart then I suggest you listen to this farmer (from Canada). He spells out just how powerful, influential and damaging this company is to our right to choose and grow organic, natural foods.


As possible ‘evidence’ of the damage that GMOs cause to the human body, the link below explains just how it interferes with the blood (circulatory) system. Anything that tampers with or destroys the blood has the potential to irreversibly damage the DNA and also genetic blueprint. Imagine the long term effects this will have on future generations. At this stage we don’t know the extent of potential impact and damage of consuming foods that contain GMOs.


Being intuitive my guess would be that long term GMO consumption is going to:
·         Lead to weakened immune system;
·         Potentially result in decreased ability to reproduce;
·         May even contribute to, and result in, increased birth deformities;
·         Impair cognitive development in young children;
·         Contribute to the predisposition to a host of serious illnesses, including cancer.

The above list is only a rough but intuitive guess on my part and has yet to be validated by scientific statistics. But do we have to wait 25 years or so before we say ‘ooopsie, we goofed’?

As a global community we cannot afford to wait any longer. The health of the planet and all who reside upon her is at risk. Glysophates – from RoundUp weed killer used in GMOs – has already been implicated in causing cancer.

If you live in Australia don’t think that GMOs aren’t here or that Monsanto isn’t already influencing policy decisions at the government level. I have it on very good authority that Monsanto has purchased the Western Australian seed bank for $38 million. Can I prove this claim? No, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least as governments are not known for their visionary abilities. Instead government policy development generally is short term and is vested in winning elections, and in appeasing the corporations and powerful individuals who fund election campaigns.

*****

Like many individuals in recent years I’ve yearned to live a more sustainable life. No matter where I’ve lived I’ve been fortunate to have a small garden in which to grow vegetables and herbs. In addition, access to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs and local farmers’ markets has ensured that to some degree I’ve enjoyed high quality organic produce. This is a brief video clip that shows just how a family has been able to create a more natural and sustainable way of life –


When I encounter individuals who are living off the grid (without public utilities), who have sufficient acreage to plant a vast array of foods and who are truly living the ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ principles the desire to do more surfaces.

On a deeper level the desire to return to a simpler and healthier lifestyle is emerging – as I believe is occurring for many other individuals. In recent years, while living in New York I encountered countless people who expressed a desire to return to living off the land, not necessarily to establish a farm, but instead to become more self-reliant and more closely connected to the cycles of nature. Here in Australia I also observe the desire for community, co-operation, collaboration and sharing of resources.


I believe the more informed we truly are – and this means relying on alternative media sources such as the internet – the more we are able to effect positive change. It’s time to stop the insanity that currently exists, where corporations such as Monsanto hold such incredible power to influence laws that diminish our rights to our natural home and heritage – Mother Earth!