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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Healing Our Food Supply

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]’m so thankful for those in this world who are leading the charges of change. One person who informs and inspires me is Robyn O’Brien. Her online “Ted Talk” and her book “The Unhealthy Truth” expose the toxity problem in our food supply, and how we got here. This issue has always been a passion for me; my thanks to you, Robyn, and all the others fighting for us.

When I hear politicians talk about saving us from this or that threat, I wish one of them would expose the information contained in her book. Changing food labels, holding companies accountable, removing the barriers to a healthier food supply, using common sense for the human population. Just once I would like to hear a politician state we will clean up our mistakes, allowing chemicals in our preservatives, dyes in our vitamins, etc. Robyn refers to the situation as epidemic.

If this is new to you, it’s not difficult to get up to date. Start with Robyn’s book and the documentary “Genetic Roulette.” Then add the “Human Experiment” narrated by Sean Penn to fill in the gaps. I think it might change the way you look at food. The additives, chemicals and junk in our food all add up to bad health. What a difference it would make in our children’s future if we all got involved.

Speaking of wellness, you may have noticed water being all over the news these days. Michigan is likely one of many problems. Time will tell. A few months ago, I had Smart Water (one of our advertisers) install a reverse osmosis system with a four liter purification container under our sink. I can only say water is now water in my house. Yes, this is a plug for Drew at Smart Water. He tested my water, and all the extra particles are gone. My water is as good as it gets. The pH is correct and the water tastes great. Check them out.

In peace, love, laughter, health, and gratitude.

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Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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