Debunking the Paleo Diet

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First of all what is the Paleolithic or Cave man diet?

1. The Paleo-Diet for short can be summed up in the definition that processed foods are the reason that the majority of American population is riddled with illness and overweight. 
2. We need to abandon the age of agriculture and stop eating things like grains, legumes, and dairy because our bodies are not made to biologically process these foods. 
3. Paleolithic peoples diet primarily consisted of large amounts of free-range game, including primarily red meat.

So now for the myth busting!

Myth #1- Humans are evolved to eat meat and Paleolithic peoples consumed large quantities of meat.

The truth is humans have no known anatomical, physiological, or genetic adaptations to support large amounts of meat consumption.

For example: Carnivores can create their own vitamin C making it so they do not have to eat large amounts of plants to gain the antioxidant and nervous system support that we do. Another indication is that our bodies produce cholesterol, a biological mechanism used for long periods of time without fat from animal meat surviving on plant based foods. We have longer digestive tracts like other herbivores that are rich with microbes to help break down this matter. We have big molars to crush and grind plants, as well as a jaw that can shear back and forth unlike other carnivores. Some of our ancestors have been even been shown to have adapted to organic or microbe rich dairy and milks, examples are the African and European cultures who traveled with milk producing animals. As far as elaborating on the large quantities of meat consumption  I think a caveman would have loved that but unfortunately wild game can be, well a bit gamey! The meat was very lean and tough, and most cavemen ate what was nutrient dense soft and more pleasing to the palate: the bone marrow and organs.  

Myth #2- Paleolithic peoples did not eat whole grains or legumes.

Tools made from stone that resemble mortar and pestles (the tools used to grind grains and herbs) 30,000 B.C. 20,000 years before the agricultural age. Archeologists have also begun to study the fossilized plague on the teeth of our Paleolithic counterparts. This plaque has a unique story to tell, in it is the portrait of what was on this man’s menu. Guess what they found? Remnants of mostly legumes, plant roots and even barley!

Myth # 3- The foods in the conventional Paleo-Diet today are the foods that Paleolithic peoples ate.

Actually it is the complete opposite. 

Allow me to elaborate:

Agriculture is what made it even possible for these staple diet food to even be consumed!

Bananas were full of seeds and have been bred to be completely fruit. This fruit can now only be grown from clippings but without this human modification would be nearly inedible. See where I am going with this? Apples have been bred to be much less bitter, as well as lettuces. Lettuce derived and modified from wild lettuce was tough and contained latex which was nearly indigestible, not to mention their natural spines! We have made so many varieties and modifications to lettuce, making the leaves bigger and softer. Tomatine and solanine found in the primitive ancestors to the common tomato or eggplant are glycoalkaloid poisons in species of the nightshade family. Cyanide bred out of almond and apricots. Eggs, carrots and blueberry are bigger.  Wild olive and avocado had only a millimeter of fruit next to a highly inedible hard seed and just try getting the natural oils from these babies without a modernized oil press! To say that this was a staple of caveman diet is a far cry from the truth! Even the so loved broccoli is a farmer’s food! There were however plenty of kale, brussel sprouts and cabbages to pick from.

Here is my opinion on the Paleolithic Diet:

      In my opinion the Paleolithic Diet is essentially the Atkins Diet without the chemicals. I agree that chemicals and pesticides are devastating to our health but I also think that large amount of animal fats and proteins to the body are toxic.

      I think that organic farming has created sweeter, less tough, vitamin packed and easy to access superfoods! I don’t agree however with modern farming modifications such as Monsanto’s Round-up ready crops. This invention within our decade was the DNA modification to crops such as corn and soy ,that when sprayed with large amounts of round-up would not die. Only the weeds would die allowing for a swift harvest. Did I forget to mention the DNA modification that causes bugs stomachs to explode when eating the crop? This is what you are buying in the supermarket when it is labeled non-organic. In almost every box or container there contains some derivative of genetically modified wheat, soy or corn. So I do agree that we should probably leave behind things like modern agriculture, fat-free movement and the flavoring/artificial flavoring inventions. To give you an example if you consume diet soda not only has Monsanto’s aspartame been linked to certain cancers. Okay so let’s switch it out with your typical soda size a 34oz regular soda. It would take our caveman ancestors eating 8.5 feet of sugar cane to have the equivalent sugar found in one of these soda drinks! I also agree with the raw milk movement, which say that if/when we consume dairy it should be raw dairy with probiotic strains intact. Microbiota or probiotics are coming more and more in the scientific spotlight as to their impact of health. Studies have proven that not only does beneficial bacteria health the immune system and digestion but also recently  the brain function and behavioral health.

Although the commercialized Paleolithic Diet might not be biologically correct.

So what was the Real Paleolithic Diet like in a summary?

Regionally Variable- Each paleolithic diet was different based on where they lived because different ecological environments.

Seasonally Variable- They never ate the same foods for long periods of time. Herds would migrate, fish would spawn, foods would be less or more available depending on the season.

High Mobility-They had to change and migrate through environments to be able to keep finding food.

Small Portions- They ate very small portions because food was not easily found, gathered or yet domesticated.

Tough, Woody, Fibrous- Many of the foods where very fibrous and took vigorous chewing and a long tract of digestion to assimilate.

Marrow & Organs- Small amounts of lean meat, when eaten mostly bone marrow and organs were utilized for vitamins and minerals.

Toxins & Phytochemicals-Some phytochemicals and bioidentical toxins are beneficial to the body having an anti-cancer effect.

What can the Real Paleolictic Diet teach us about biological dietary needs?

1.       It is important to ingest whole foods! Food is more than merely a sum of calories but that the body requires certain fiber and vitamins because of their functions in improving overall health. Try to avoid food that is processed and comes out of a box. Eat less wheat, corn and soy products. Eat more fruits like berries,vegetables like leafy greens, legumes, seeds/nuts, and ancient grains like quinoa. 

2.       Seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables are best and if these foods cannot be accessed than traditional forms that use of vinegars, simple fermentation like the processes in traditional canning, freezing or dehydration can be used to preserve your foods while providing added health benefits. 

3.       No one diet can provide all of the nutrients needed to be completely healthy. We need nutritional diversity. The good news is in this day and age I am here to lead you to all of the superfoods your body needs for nutritional diversity and integral whole food health!

I was inspired to write this blog after watching the TedX Talk by Chistina Warinner.

 For the complete talk and science behind the majority of this article,
 click on the YouTube video below:

Superfood Smoothie

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 Superfood Smoothie Recipe: 

Spinach, Berry mix (raspberry & blueberry), Amazing Grass Green Superfood Powder, Maca, Cacoa, Ginger, Hemp milk, Orange juice, Coconut water, Coconut Oil, & Chia seeds

MORE INFO ON EACH SUPERFOOD:

SPINACH or dark green leafy vegetables are, calorie for calorie, probably the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins, including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, among many other effects. Dark green leaves even contain small amounts of Omega-3 fats.

BERRIES are increasingly viewed as having a profound impact against the diseases of aging including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and age related mental decline. The have pectin which a powerful anti-oxidant and fiber to sweep away toxins from the digestive tract, revitalizing digestion and providing extra energy.

AMAZING GRASS BERRY GREEN SUPERFOOD POWDER is a premium blend of superfoods that provide amazing energy and amazing health. With antioxidant-rich Goji and Acai berries, Berry Green SuperFood is delicious and nutritious.
http://amazinggrass.com/product/38/Berry-Green-SuperFood-30-servings.html

MACA was used in ancient Incan society for a vitality tonic and also as sport nutrition for improving libido. The plant has a exclusive sense of balance of proteins, carbs, anti-oxidants, plant sterols, minerals and vitamins. These interact to maintain the entire body at optimum condition. Maca offers energy, given it account balances the endocrine system, such as the adrenals, pancreatic, pituitary and thyroid gland. It reportedly will help people retrieve their endurance along with their mental balance. Maca has additionally been found to have two unique substances that increase sexual libido and male fertility. These ingredients are called macamides and macaenes. They could favorably impact the sex lives of both males and females who take maca.

CACOA beans are essentially unroasted cocoa beans loaded with many essential minerals the body needs. These include magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese with Essential Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and Pantothenic acid. This is an anti-oxidant and mood enhancer!

GINGER is very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.

HEMP MILK Strengthens the immune system, promotes clear, healthy skin, hair and nails, Healthy heart, and Increased mental capacity, Hemp also has anti-inflammatory agents and improves circulation. Essential Vitamins, minerals and amino acids are: 2800mg Omega-6 Fatty Acid, All 10 Essential Amino Acids, 4 grams of Digestible Protein, 46% of RDA of Calcium, 0% Cholesterol, Potassium, Phosphorous, Riboflavin,Vitamin A, E, B12,D, Folic Acid, Iron and Zinc.

As you already know ORANGE JUICE for Vitamin C boosting our immune system, enhancing our nervous system, blasting free radicals and dousing inflammation.This is added mostly to sweeten the smoothie!

COCONUT WATER is a very refreshing drink to beat tropical summer thirst. The juice is packed with amino acids, electrolytes, and minerals to replenish hydration levels within the body. Despite very light consistency, its water has much better composition of minerals like vitamin C, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc than some of the fruits like oranges. Its water is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that the human body requires them from external sources to replenish.

COCONUT OIL can also positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood-sugar control. People who take coconut oil also tend to have improvements in how they handle blood sugar since coconut can help improve insulin use within the body. Coconut oil can boost thyroid function helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It increases digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Coconut oil has a saturated fat called lauric acid, a type of MCT. It has been shown that lauric acid increases the good HDL cholesterol in the blood to help improve cholesterol ratio levels. Coconut oil lowers cholesterol by promoting its conversion to pregnenolone, a molecule that is a precursor to many of the hormones our bodies need. Coconut can help restore normal thyroid function. When the thyroid does not function optimally, it can contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol. Coconut fats have special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). It has been shown that breaking down these types of healthy fats in the liver leads to efficient burning of energy. One 2009 study found that women who consumed 30 milliliters (about 2 tablespoons) of coconut oil daily for 12 weeks not only did not gain more weight, but actually had lowered amounts of abdominal fat, a type of fat that is difficult to lose, and contributes to more heart problems.

CHIA SEEDS are “super” because, like a superfruit, they deliver the maximum amount of nutrients with minimum calories. They have several of the same benefits as the more well-known “super seed” flax, but unlike flax seed, you don’t need to grind them to reap the health benefits. The nutritional benefits of chia include fiber, omega fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants and much more – even protein! The Chiropractor I used to work for used to say that chia seeds have as much fiber a a whole bowl of oatmeal, as much anti-oxidants as a handful of blueberries and more omega3 fatty acids than a salmon!

Spirit Science

A dear friend asked me this the other day. “Can you explain to me what your "beliefs" or  overall thoughts of this world with us in it are? What were supposed to do? I’m just asking for your opinion” Here is my answer.

My “beliefs” as you put it are like this:

Man-Humankind are the ones who have separated things in this physical world.

I believe in a co=existing science and spirituality outlook.

Let’s start with science:

In science we know that everything around use is made from energy. Energy being the smallest form of anything in the entirety of the universe.

There are three laws that energy must obey and always has:

1.      Moves in form, through form and out of form.
2.    Always will be and always has been
3.    Neither can be created nor destroyed

If you ask a theologian about what God is in ANY religion he will tell you this same definition.I think that people get lost in the definition of what religion is.

They are so busy defining what religion is right or wrong that they miss the point of religion.To refine and uplift the spirit, not only your own but others as well.Whichever path you choose, which ever religion you chose is only right when it is benefiting the growth of spirit and nourishing a community with love.

I like combining Quantum physics and Spirit science.

If you think about it energy is everything around us, so we are made of the same thing as the chair you are sitting on or the computer/phone you are looking at. Not only the physical world but also the intangible, like your thoughts and feelings. Spirit science tells us that since our thought and feelings are things or vibrations that the majority of thoughts/feels repeated create what is around you. Essentially you create your own world. Or you could look at it as it is all under your control because the world is based on how we react and perceive this reality.

There is a great Buddha, which to clarify Buddha is not just one chubby jolly man popularized by western culture. Buddha means a person who has attained full enlightenment. This Buddha would go into institutions or correctional facilities and teach yoga/ meditation. The philosophy he would teach would be, "yes, there are prison bars keeping you from the outside world but no one can imprison your mind." If you choose to see imprisonment as a chance of rebirth as the universes way of giving you the time your spirit needs to cleanse and heal, you will transform. The prison bars become a place of joy. The mind is where it all begins.If you choose to see a situation as negative and detrimental, it will be but if you see each moment as bliss and liberation, the echo will bring about positive experience.

You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

By choosing to view a situation differently we are creating a different positive path for ourselves. We create our own reality. That reality is not only that we create our own environment by how we react to it but that we are a part of that environment because we are connected through energy. I think the problem with ego is not confidence to better yourself but in the idea that you are separate from all around you. When you make a decision it will always have an effect. Even what you decide to think about in your own minds eye.

I think we are supposed to love. We are supposed to love ourselves in the sense that we do not sacrifice the freedom and well being of others. I think we are supposed to love others because essentially they ARE YOU. What is interesting is the more you lift positive emotions in prayer and meditation, the more the universe answers this call. It is not asking in a logical sense, the universe answers by feeling alone. Always follow clear minded peaceful bliss. If you are on the right path it will feel pure, exciting, and joyful. If it does not, then you need to ask the universe in sense of prayer and meditation, from a place of good feelings; what the next step is.

If we look at things in a sense of science once again, the physical world becomes second to the energetic world. For example: Most people would think that there are no thoughts without the brain but science and quantum physics suggest that thoughts exist without the brain because the energetic world exist first. 

In Christianity this truth even rings true:

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." -Jeremiah 1:5

You are the prophet to the nations as well because as a society most do not follow their own footsteps because biology has wired our brains to follow what the majority of our tribe is doing. Hence mainstream media and advertising has an such an effect on us. God knew you before you were formed because we are the past, present and future. We are integrated, not separate. We are in everything and in a large sense we are powerful creators. Imagine if all of us realized this and came together as realized creators?

“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” –Matthew 10:30

He would know every thought, every hair, every star in the sky because he is that.

In my opinion, people forget that the bible was written by man. They forget to start asking their own question. They forget to have their own conversations with God, the greater united consciousness. Man is the one who hates, who judges. God in my opinion does not judge but is an observer, a deliverer of love and a summary of perfection not in man’s eye but is perfection because God-the universe is the sum of all possibilities in the universe. He is what you and I are a part of. He well be and always will be. Can neither be created nor destroyed. We are eternal beings set on this earth to become an elaborate fractal, an ongoing echo of love.  Become the creator-Become the healer. 

What I am trying to say is: 

No one can define you but you.

You are not different from him/her in what we are made of.

We are meant to love ourselves, what we do in life and others.

Want to learn more?

Check out these Videos & Links:

The Secret

Dr Amit Goswami - 'Consciousness, Quantum Physics and Being Human

Bob Thurman: We can be Buddhas

Belief Thief | Bashar

The 4 Agreements

I Heart Huckabees

The Peaceful Warrior

Hidden Human History Movie - Hypothesis for Consideration Purpose Only! [Extraordinary Theory]

My 70 Year Old SHERO

   Want to learn more about her raw vegan diet? Click on the Link

Understanding the Myth

Painting by Bernth Uho

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Just finished my Memorial weekend vacation, I have come to the conclusion that I need to share the theme that I have had from conversation trends and universal-consciousness whispering in my ear all weekend.

List of events that together make a whole statement:

Cherokee Stories

Mermaids-The new evidence

Into the Wild

      Nick, Kane, Laura and I were sitting out in her back yard when casually I brought up how I always get attacked by or visited by aquatic animals. My first experiences in the water I was in Mexico and was stung by a box jelly fish, this has happened countless times since. While in the water I have been visited by dolphins many times as well. Laura kindly suggests to me that maybe I should acknowledge that they have precedence over me. That while in the water I respect their territory but also their spirit. She explains how she does this while walking through the forest. She can take long naps on the forest floor with not a bite from or scratch from nature upon waking. I do this with land animals, so this made sense to me. Speaking of this, while we were visiting Charleston Nick and I say two pods of dolphins at two different times on our trip. One siting was in the ocean and another in a local bay. Also when I went outside to see the full moon on Friday night, a honey bee crawled up to my feet on the pavement.  A neighborhood cat took such a liking to Nick and I that she would wait outside the front door each day until we came outside to pet her. She meowed at the door Saturday night because she wanted to be close to us. I always keep in mind what animals have to teach us spiritually, animal totem spirits.For example, dolphins are healing, intelligent and joyful. They convey a lesson to us about true love, community and joy. Honey Bees symbolize accomplishing the impossible. They also are a symbol of fertility of life.  The idea that we must acknowledge and show respect for nature made so much sense to me since it is one of the oldest stories told by the people of my ancestry. Below I have sited the Cherokee Story of the origins of disease and plant medicine. If you would like to read it scroll to the bottom but otherwise I will summarize the writing.

       In the Cherokee folklore, the animals see that the humans are not showing respect for the animals. If the human does not show respect for the by offering sacrifice and blessing/giving thank for the sacrifice the animal will strike sickness-ailments upon that human so it is more difficult for them to return to nature in this life. The plants offer to make a medicine or remedy for each ailment the animals choose to strike upon the humans. Wonderful and fanciful things happen when we respect and come to understand nature. I was watching the special on my birthday, Mermaids-The New Evidence. On this show they talk about how mermaid conspiracy but most importantly for my writing they talk about human and animal cooperation. In places like Brazil the dolphins will help the Brazilian fisherman catch more fish by luring in the fish to the shore. Below is the video of the dolphins facilitating the Brazilians catch:

This video made me cry, coming to the realization that we could be working alongside so many intelligent animals. Instead of being stewards or respecting our place in the circle we demean animals thinking just because they do not have human communication that they are incompetent or undeserving of the luxuries of love, inter-species cooperation and respect.

        If you ever have watched the movie Into the Wild or read the book by Jon Krakauer, than you would have noticed this hierarchy.  After a wide exploration of the west coast in April 1992, a twenty-two year old Christopher McCandless aka Alexander Supertramp hitchhiked to the Stampede Trail in Alaska. There, McCandless headed down the snow-covered trail to begin an odyssey with only 10 pounds of rice, a .22 caliber rifle, several boxes of rifle rounds, a camera, and a small selection of reading material – including a field guide to the region's edible plants, Tana'ina Plantlore.  Chris is a small, yet strong young man with deep eyes who is portrayed as likeable despite his stubborn disposition. Into the Wild addresses the issues of how to be accepted into society, and how finding yourself sometimes conflicts with being an active member in society.Most critics agree that Chris McCandless left to find some sort of enlightenment. He also tries to find his way in the wild with as little material possessions because “it made the journey more enjoyable.”  His taking risks to extremes was eventually his hubris which led to his downfall. To read more click on the link. 

    In the movie he has many encounters with animals such as a brown bear, many moose and other creatures. There is a scene where he shoots a moose and despite his efforts to save the meat by a smoking method, maggots infest the meat making it incapable for consumption. There is a scene where wolves watch look to him as they devour the meat almost as a cruel joke. To me this spoke in much higher volume. The movie takes another turn when he is just feet away from a large Alaskan brown bear that sniff the emaciated Chris and then moves on. Almost to say, nature has proven to be bigger than you. I am sure he respected nature because his spirit was in the right place.  The writing in his journal and insights on society were so profound. Yet the spiritual aspect or respect of the hierarchy I think was missing. When we are not protected by steel and smoking gun, humans are quite helpless.

   Another point I would like to address about the movie Into the Wild, is the fact that he most likely did not die solely from consuming Sweet pea. It would take large amount of eating this legume alone to poison someone to the point of starvation. Chris most likely was not getting adequate amount of vitamins and nutrients for the amount of calories he was burning daily. Even though Chris was eating large amount of meat successfully eating moose, porcupine, and squirrel, yet still starved to death. This tells us a story that yes protein/amino-fatty acids are  important as it was emphasized from the nineteen-hundreds but also just as important are vitamins and nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. He ate most potato root and sweet pea but he could have also been eating things like wild lettuce and dandelion to get more nutrients to help keep him alive. 

                      No need for a precipitating event when explaining McCandless's starvation

     In Terra Incognita Films blog, they explain perfectly how there is no need for a poisoning event nor is there actual evidence in Christopher McCandless death. “Using peer-reviewed scientific literature, relying on calculations developed by the World Health Organization, and informed by McCandless’s own food journals, we tested this hypothesis. The result was that, despite some success hunting and gathering, McCandless was not able to secure enough food on a daily basis. He slowly lost weight until he reached a Body Mass Index (BMI) that was fatal. To test this hypothesis, we calculated his energy expenditure and compared this to his caloric intake. To assess his energy expenditure, we predicted the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of McCandless using a regression equation developed by the World Health Organization for young adult humans, age18-29. His BMR was adjusted to reflect his physical activity level—hunting and gathering—as defined by WHO criteria. McCandless’s caloric intake was estimated from his detailed 113-day food journal. In the end, a day-by-day comparison of his energy expenditure (BMR) and his caloric intake showed a consistent caloric deficit, i.e. weight loss. By Day 113, his Body Mass Index (BMI) had dropped into the range of 13 kg/m2, a level considered incompatible with life. It is believed he died on that same day.This empirical analysis of McCandless’s energetic state shows a steady loss of weight. He may have gotten sick from one of his meals at the end of July (“Extremely weak. Fault of pot. seed,” he writes on 7/30/92), but this was not the cause of his death. The data show that he died of starvation because he couldn’t meet his energetic needs over 113 days.”

       In Forager's Harvest blog post, Sam Thayer elaborates on the fable of certain wild edible death! It is a fact that there are poisonous plants in the wilderness but they are fairly easier to distinguish than Hollywood portrays.  “Our culture is spellbound and beguiled by the story of someone mistaking a poisonous plant for an edible one and dying from the error. It is a magnetic motif with a suite of admonitions that we find economically and socially useful: don’t stray too far from the beaten path; what civilization has given you is better than you realize; Nature cannot be trusted; be normal and live a predictable life of routine. These messages are compelling when a torturous death is presented as the cost of disregarding them. Every culture builds its own propaganda to promote stability. An important aspect of this propaganda is fables—stories made up to teach particular lessons. Since we have trouble finding sufficient examples of wild plant poisonings, we fabricate the story again and again.The Poison Plant Fable assumes many forms. “

“In a short-term survival situation, food is of minor importance. However, in long-term survival or “living off the land,” it is of paramount importance. “  –Sam Thayer

      I agree with this statement entirely. For me eating organic and permaculture should be a part of every community because it is a way to pass on to our children the survival tools of our ancestors and further connect our loved ones with nature. The builds character there is something about living off the land that is enriching to the spirit. It builds self-confidence while keeping ego in check. By just creating relationship with the land and food we create and change the dynamics of the individual and also the surrounding culture. 

I leave you with the enlightening Cherokee story of The Origin of Ailments.

 Long ago the humans and the animals got along fine. All the peoples, human and animal, could communicate with each other and were at peace. The animals of that long-ago time were much larger than the animals of today. Indeed, the animals of today are but shadows of those who once were.

There came a time when we humans forgot our place and broke the harmony. We humans began to reproduce at an alarming rate, and we gave ourselves to the production of all sorts of weapons meant for the destruction of the animals: spears and atlatls, bows and arrows, blowguns and traps of all kinds. We began to hunt, not just for food, but simply for the fun of killing. We humans also killed many animals just by pure carelessness, never stopping to think of the results of our actions. Even as we walked from place to place, we were not careful where we stepped, so that many of the tiny many-legged and legless ones were crushed to death or maimed. Some humans went so far as to purposely kill little animals merely from a feeling of disgust or loathing, going out of their way to step on a bug or squash a harmless spider. It was clear that we humans believed ourselves to be the only ones who mattered in all of creation, and as we continued clearing land and building our cities; it looked as if there would soon be no more room for anyone else to live in the earth.

The animals decided something had to be done about this human problem. The bears met separately from the other animals. The Great White Bear, presiding at the council asked, "What's the problem?"

"It's these humans; they kill us indiscriminately."

"How do they kill us?"

"With bows and arrows."

"Of what are their bows made?"

"The bow of locust wood and the bowstring of our guts."

The bears decided they would make bows of their own with which to kill the humans. They got some locust wood, and one of the bears sacrificed himself to give material for the bowstring. When the bow was finished and arrows were made, one of the bears stood up to shoot. He could pull the string, but releasing it was a problem. His long claws would get hung and throw him off target. The other bears, ducking his wild arrows, cried out, "Stop, stop. Something must be done. We'll cut your claws."

After the bear's claws were cut, he could shoot a bow as well as any man. "Now the humans have had it!" all the bears said. "We will hunt them, as they have hunted us! All we have to do is cut our claws."

"Wait!" said the Great White Bear. "How is it that we bears make our living?"

"By climbing trees to get honey and by ripping open rotten logs to find insects and by digging in the earth for rodents and by catching fish."

"How do we do all these things?"

"With our long claws."

The bears understood that if they cut their claws they could no longer make a living as bears and would starve to death. The idea to hunt the humans with bows and arrows was scrapped, and they never came up with another solution.

All the other animals came together in a joint council to discuss the human problem. The Grubworm presided at the council. After all, it was his people, the little creeping and crawling peoples of the earth, who had suffered most from the actions of the humans. The animals all sat in a circle. The talking stick was passed, giving each an opportunity to speak. The Toad said, "Something must be done. These humans despise me. They are forever kicking me or throwing things at me, because they think I am ugly. Just look at all the bumps they've put on my back!"

One of the little birds rose and said, "Although I'm too small to provide much meat, their little boys kill my people and roast us over the fire until our feathers and feet are burned off." One after the other, the animals spoke of atrocities committed by the humans. The only one with nothing to say against the humans was the little chipmunk, who was too small to be hunted for food and too quick to be stepped on. When he spoke in defense of the humans, the other animals jumped on him and gave him such a scratching down his back that the stripes are there to this day!

Once it was established that something must be done about the humans in order to save the rest of creation, the floor was open for discussion of what to do. It was finally decided that each of the animal peoples would come up with at least one disease with which to inflict the humans, in order to kill most of them and to teach the rest some respect. Various animals attending the council agreed to come up with every sort of ailment from cancer to p.m.s. When the Grubworm heard this last one, he laughed so hard he fell over backwards and has been crawling around like that ever since.

So, all the animals went their separate ways to meet in council, each with their own kind, to work out the details of what they would do. The deer met in council, with their chief, Little Deer, presiding. The deer understood the humans to be a pitiful and needy people who live only by the deaths of others. For this reason, the deer decided to allow the humans to continue killing some deer each year, but only what is needed for food, NEVER FOR SPORT. Furthermore, a human hunter, upon killing a deer, is required to show respect for the spirit of the deer by begging the deer's pardon and making a proper tobacco offering. And so, Little Deer, the chief and adawehi of all the deer will come. Swiftly and invisibly he will come to the place where the deer has died. Gently he will bend down over the blood. In a whisper, he will ask the spirit of the slain deer, "Did this hunter treat you with respect? Did he beg your pardon? Did he offer tobacco?"

If the answer is, "Yes," all is well, and Little Deer will go on his way. But if the answer is, "No," Little Deer will track that hunter to his home. There, Little Deer will strike that hunter with rheumatism, which he may never hunt again! 

Word was sent to the human people, and we Cherokees have not forgotten this treaty with the deer.

And so, many diseases came into the earth. Many people died. For a while, it looked as though maybe no humans would survive in the earth. The great cities were forgotten and fell into ruin. 

The plant peoples who saw all of this, also elected to come together and meet in council. Deciding to take pity on us humans, each plant agreed to give of itself to provide medicine for at least one human disease or ailment. All we humans had to do was ask in a respectful way.

Painting by Tamara Phillips

Understand that every thought is interlinked within universal consciousness. That your life is an echo of your dominant thoughts.

Detoxify your Third Eye ॐ Awaken Intuition

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DETOXIFYING YOUR THIRD EYE

By Estella Hoad | Rise Earth

I mentioned earlier in my post about Pre-Cleansing and Intent Setting, one of my goals is to detoxify and decalcify my Pineal Gland. I want to share this information because it is something that has completely inspired me. Here’s a little bit of background first!

The Pineal Gland

(from wikipedia): “The pineal gland (also called the pineal body, epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis, conarium or the third eye) is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain. It produces the serotonin derivative melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and seasonal functions. Its shape resembles a tiny pine cone (hence its name), and it is located near the centre of the brain, between the two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where the two rounded thalamic bodies join.”

This pineal gland is activated by light, and it controls the various bio-rhythms of the body. It works in harmony with the hypothalamus gland which directs the body’s thirst, hunger, sexual desire and the biological clock that determines our aging process. When it awakens, one feels a pressure at the base of the brain. To activate the ‘third eye’ is to raise one’s frequency and moving into higher consciousness – all is a consciousness experience perceived through the Eye of Time or Third Eye.

While the physiological function of the pineal gland has been unknown until recent times, mystical traditions and esoteric schools have long known this area in the middle of the brain to be the connecting link between the physical and spiritual worlds. Considered the most powerful and highest source of ethereal energy available to humans, the pineal gland has been seen as a gateway that leads within to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness. Awakening the third eye acts as a “stargate.”

Meditation, Visualization Yoga, and all forms of Out of Body travel, open the Third Eye and allow you to ‘see’ beyond the physical.

Calcification of the Pineal Gland

Most people’s pineal glands are heavily calcified by the time they are 17 years old, so much so that they show up as a lump of calcium during an MRI. Calcification is the build up of calcium phosphate crystals in various parts of the body.

The pineal gland begins to calcify due to the harmful effects of artificial substances such as flouride chemicals found in public water systems and toothpaste, hormones and additives put into processed foods and sugars and artificial sweeteners dumped into soft drinks. Cell phones are also being pinpointed as being harmful to the pineal gland due to high concentrations of radiation.

Benefits of Detoxifying and Activating Your Pineal Gland

Detoxification and Activation of the third eye can bring vast improvements of our life. An open third eye brings clarity, concentration, perspicuity, bliss, intuition, decisiveness and insight as well as:

-  Vivid dreams.
-  Lucid dreams.
-  Easier to astral project.
-  Better sleep.
-  Enhanced imagination.
-  Enabling Aura viewing, seeing energy, seeing beings, and seeing with eyes closed.
-  Clear channels and ablitly to feel energy.

A closed third eye or “Ajna Chakra” in Hindu tradition brings with it confusion, uncertainty, cynicism, pessimism, jealousy, envy and one sidedness.

How To Decalcify Your Pineal Gland

The idea of having a calcified pineal gland can be likened to a door being glued shut. Although the pathway is unable to be used while it is glued shut, it is still a doorway never the less! With constant pushing the door will eventually break open. Below you’ll find what are said to be some of the best ways to decalcify your third eye (The * indicates that they should be taken with at least one of the other things mentioned for full effect.):

- Avoid all things fluoride: Tap water, cooking with tap water, fluoridated toothpaste, inorganic fruits and vegetables, showers with out filter, red meat, and any sodas and artificial food and drinks. I know how difficult it can be to stick to only organic fruit and vegetable but it is important to start where you are and begin to make those changes where it is possible.

- Pineal gland detoxifiers and stimulants: Hydrilla Verticillata, Chlorella, Spirulina, blue-green algae, Iodine, Zeolite, ginseng, borax, D3, Bentonite clay, chlorophyll, blue skate liver oil.

- Foods: raw cacao, goji berries, cilantro, watermelon, bananas, Honey, Coconut Oil, hemp seeds, seaweed, and noni juice.

- Essentials oils can be used to help stimulate the Pineal Gland and facilitate states of spiritual awareness, meditation, astral projection, etc. Good essential oils for Pineal Gland purposes include: Lavender, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Parsley, Davana, Pine, Pink Lotus, and Mugwort (excess use of Mugwort has a neurotoxin effect if inhaled directly, so be careful!). Essential oils can be inhaled directly, burned in a diffuser or nebulizer, and added to bath water.

- Citric acid (LOTS of lemons* will work.)

- Garlic* (Take about half a bulb a day or more for a while, if you crush it and soak in raw apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice it will deodorize it. Use the leftover vinegar or lemon juice on a salad. Personally, I drink it all down.)

- Raw apple cider vinegar* (Contains malic acid. Take a lot of it. Make sure it’s raw, as that is very important. Braggs is the best brand) Everyday I fill a 1 Quart Mason jar with Ionized Alkaline water, 8 tablespoons of Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 tablespoons of raw, local honey. This has so many benefits aside from the pineal gland!

- Sungazing (Gazing at the sun during the first 15 minutes of sunrise and last 15 minutes of sunset will do wonders for your pineal gland)

-Regular Meditation and Chanting. Chanting causes the tetrahedron bone in the nose to resonate and this resonance causes the Pineal Gland to be stimulated and when it is stimulated it secretes more beneficial hormones, and remember: these beneficial hormones keep your appearance youthful. The sound “OM” resonates with the Fourth Chakra, known as the Heart Center, the seat of Unconditional Love. Chanting OM opens you up to Universal and cosmic awareness. You can chant up to 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or however long you desire to.

- Crystals that benefit the Pineal Gland include: Amethyst (wand), Laser Quartz (wand), Moonstone, Pietersite, Purple Sapphire, Purple Violet Tourmaline, Rhodonite, Rose Aura, and Sodalite. However, any indigo, violet, or dark purple gemstone or crystal can be used to stimulate the Pineal Gland and open/balance/align the 6th and 7th Chakras. Placed directly on the 3rd eye or brow chakra for 15-30 minutes a day or every other day will help to open/balance/align the 3rd Eye (Brow) chakra and prevent/remove calcification of the gland. The best exercise for Pineal Gland stimulation and health is to take an amethyst obelisk crystal or an amethyst wand, point it at the 3rd eye (point of the wand should touch your skin) and look up directly at the Sun with your eyes closed. Do this everyday or whenever you feel like it for about 5-10 minutes. The Sun’s rays will penetrate through the base part of the obelisk or the end part of an amethyst wand and beam directly into the Pineal Gland stimulating it. You can also use the Laser Quartz (wand) as well. Quartz crystal benefits every single chakra.