Lizzie, Ally, and I at the Indian Seats :)
Lizzie, Ally, and I at the Indian Seats :)
(via s0ul--searching)
(via Hybrid Wheat NOT the Same as GM Wheat)
The recently published book Wheat Belly has caused a number of folks to mistakenly believe that genetically modified wheat has already invaded our food supply. While it is true that GM wheat is currently being tested in the UK (not for commercial production supposedly), it has not become part of the human or animal food supply as of now.
The warnings against wheat in Wheat Belly are in reference to hybrid wheat strains which is a very different thing from genetic modification.
When a plant is hybridized, the basic plant DNA is not mixed with the DNA of another, completely unrelated plant species or even the DNA of animals or bacteria which is what happens with genetic modification.Hybridization of plants has been practiced for centuries and the truth is that most of the plant foods we consume everyday are hybridized in some form or fashion. Hybridization typically occurs through selection of desirable and inheritable characteristics that are either dominant or recessive genetic traits.
In the case of wheat, strains that are high in gluten have been favored in recent decades given that they are more desirable in food processing with the result that modern wheat is much higher in gluten than nonhybridized (wild) strains such as einkorn wheat.
Does this mean that hybridized wheat is bad for your health?
Not at all. I personally have no problem eating high gluten hybrid wheat and don’t feel this is the reason for the big belly problem that many Westerners suffer from today as claimed in Wheat Belly.
The real crux of the problem is the complete mess that the vast majority of Westerners have made of their gut environment with all the processed foods, sugar, rancid vegetable oils, antibiotics and other pharmaceutical use. An imbalanced gut environment will most assuredly not be able to digest wheat that is high in gluten and undigested food rots in the gut producing excess gas, bloating, growth of pathogens, and breakdown of the gut wall that results in – you guessed it, “wheat belly” as well as autoimmune symptoms such as food allergies or gluten sensitivity.
However, is wheat the real problem?
No it’s not.
Fix the gut and hybrid wheat digests just fine in most cases .. particularly if you prepare the wheat properly by sprouting, soaking or sour leavening as practiced by traditional societies which breaks down gluten into more digestible form.
So if you want to avoid modern strains of wheat because you don’t digest it well, that is fine. Just know that it really isn’t hybrid wheat that is the problem. Getting gut health in order is the real key to solving any food digestion or sensitivity problems over the long term!
(via soldierofthepure)
(via t-eenager)
May 2012
MONTHLY OVERVIEW:
May could have a few intense moments along with triumphant ones. The Sun is in Taurus, your intimate eighth house, until May 20. This is annual “cocooning” time for you, Libra, and your private life could be the most active area—a change for a social butterfly like you. Do a little springtime soul searching, and give your closest friends your undivided attention. The eighth house also rules real estate, joint ventures, and financial planning. With any luck, a nice tax refund will arrive—but either way, this is a great time to get your funds in order. Money could also come in at the Scorpio full moon on May 5, which spotlights your work and finance zone.
Could your heart use some housekeeping, too? Your ruler, love-planet Venus, goes retrograde (backward) May 15-June 27. This is a tricky time for relationships, no matter what your zodiac sign. Retrogrades get a bad rap, but don’t believe the hype about breakups and weddings gone awry (Venus retrograde can inspire panicked predictions). We like to think of retrogrades as reassessment periods, a time to turn inward, slow down, and consider things with more thought. That could be music to your ears, Libra, since your sign hates to be rushed. If you’re having second thoughts or misgivings, don’t react rashly. Take this six-week cycle to really explore what’s in your heart.
An exciting opportunity to expand could arrive at the May 20 Gemini new moon solar eclipse. Gemini rules your ninth house of travel, entrepreneurship, and study. In the coming six months, you may decide to go back to school, start a business, or see more of the world. Chances to do so could come quite unexpectedly, as eclipses are change agents that can arrive without warning. The ninth house is a positive and philosophical space, and this eclipse might just bring about an attitude adjustment. If you’re feeling resigned about some part of your life, here comes a wave of inspiration and can-do encouragement. Nice!
LOVE & ROMANCE:
Intense feelings blossom this month, and your emotions could run to the extremes. Libras don’t always like to dive quite so far below the surface—your sign is allergic to conflict and anything that tips your “scales” too far off balance. However, with the Sun and expansive Jupiter both in Taurus, your intimate eighth house, you might finally be willing to see all shades of light and darkness in your relationship (or within yourself). Being willing to “go there” is essential to sustaining a long-term commitment. It can’t be Godiva chocolates and long-stemmed roses 24/7—even if you aim to come close.
Engagements, pregnancies, moving in together—all of these more “official” ways of bonding fall under the eighth house domain. Adventurous Jupiter has been in Taurus since June 4, 2011, and it will remain here until June 11, 2012. The past eleven months have stretched many Libras well past their intimate comfort zones—and even into new erotic or sexual terrain. (If there was ever a time to take up tantra, this is it!) Although there have been plenty of ups and downs, you can certainly see how much you’ve grown from taking chances in love, rather than constantly guarding your heart.
This month, continue to open yourself up to love, but don’t sweep things under the carpet, either. Love planet Venus (your ruler) is retrograde (backward) from May 15-June 27. Venus is Gemini, your ninth house of big-picture visions. While some couples could hit a rough patch, it’s mostly a time to step back and evaluate. Pause to assess what you really desire from a relationship—in a toe-tingling, yes-you-CAN-have-it-all kinda way. What’s the highest and most inspiring image you can conjure? If you’re in a relationship, share that with your mate. Do you both want the same things? It doesn’t mean it’s a deal-breaker if you don’t, but you’ll definitely want to create some inspiring common ground and goals. If you’re single, now would be a great time to make a vision board—even on Pinterest—devoted to manifesting the love life you want.
During Venus retrograde, the past can come back around—so don’t be surprised if you hear from an ex. The ninth house rules travel and higher education, so it could be someone you met on vacation or a college sweetheart. You could receive a surprise text, a Facebook friend request, an email…or you might be inspired to reach out to a past love yourself. Is there unfinished business here? Perhaps. But don’t be too quick to label this person “the one that got away.” If you’re exploring reconciliation, take it slow and steady. You want to make sure the first breakup was a matter of timing, not incompatibility. Perhaps you’ve served your purpose for each other already. Or, maybe there’s a heart-stirring sequel just waiting to be written.
MONEY & CAREER:
Dolla dolla bill, y’all! (Sorry, just had a flashback to our clubbing days in the ‘90s.) But seriously, May could bring quite the financial bonanza for you. The Sun and abundant Jupiter are in Taurus, your eighth house of joint ventures, wealth, and shared property. Large sums of money could pass through your accounts—and hopefully, most of the moolah will be deposits, rather than outgoing transactions. But hey, money is energy, and it’s gotta stay in circulation. So if you’re writing a big check, it just means you’re karmically preparing to receive some prosperity next.
Real estate or a business collaboration could be part of the May picture. If you work in the non-profit sector, this could be a sweet time to score a grant or seed funding. You might consider a loan to expand your business, or you could decide to move, buy property, or team up with a financially savvy partner. Coupled Libras might open a joint bank account, set up a retirement fund, or write a living will.
The May 5 Scorpio full moon brings a chapter of your work or money to fruition. A promotion, bonus, or plum client could land in your lap. You may triumphantly complete a project that earns you acclaim. Or, you might decide you’ve gone as far as you can with a job and move on to something better. Whatever the case, your work is in the spotlight—and so is your bank account. If it’s a little emptier than you’d like, this is a good day to take a hard look at your budget and trim expenses. But don’t deprive yourself too much, Libra, because your balance-craving sign needs moderation, not extremes. Rather than slash your HBO (you’ve gotta watch “Girls,” after all) or deny yourself that daily artisanal cappuccino, use this energizing full moon to create prosperous new income sources. Get creative!
Dreaming of your own startup? The May 20 Gemini solar eclipse stokes your entrepreneurial urges. You could also have a sudden opportunity to travel or even to take a class near this eclipse. Gemini rules your worldly ninth house, so don’t be surprised if faraway clients and connections start coming in over the next six months. Open that frequent flier account, because you could rack up miles, too. Getting paid to see the world doesn’t sound like such a bad idea, does it? Publishing is also highlighted, so get your ideas out there, whether in print or pixels. You can be downright inspiring when you want to be, so share your unique perspectives with the world, Libra. What’s the difference you want to make? Start blogging, teaching, or sharing about it in your own unique way.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL:
With the Sun and Jupiter in your regenerative eighth house, this is a great time for a spring cleanse. Use the first three weeks of May to detox your body—and/or your environment. A little feng shui-style closet purge will tame your inner shopaholic, especially when you realize how much you’ve bought versus what you actually wear. (Yup, you might even unearth items that still have their price tags on ‘em.) Donate to charity or make it a social thing—host a clothing swap after the 20th, when the Sun is in Gemini, your fun-loving and adventurous ninth house. With your flair for fashion, it shouldn’t be hard to rally friends who are eager to raid your stash.
How are you feeling in the self-confidence department, Libra? Tough Saturn is retrograde in your sign until June 25, testing your mettle and even making you question your identity, path, and purpose. You might even be second-guessing yourself, or just not quite feeling like putting yourself out there full stop. Saturn has been in Libra since October 2009, and it will remain here until October 5, 2012. During this time, you’ve grown massively as a person, but it’s been tough. Draw back into your shell a little until the end of June. Work with a coach, expert, or mentor if you’re feeling unsure of your life direction. The motto of Saturn in your sign: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. You’re almost at the finish line, Libra—and your persistence will pay off soon enough. Just hang in there and make sure you surround yourself with ample support.
Love Days: 13, 17
Money Days: 24, 7
Luck Days: 20, 5
Off Days: 2, 19
