The Environmental Price of Smoking Bans

Here's a question for you: Are smoking bans a good for our planet? Your first response, assuming you're not a smoker, is uh - of course! Well, not so fast.

Indoor smoking bans are actually wreaking havoc on our environment. Smokers are flocking outdoors and leaving cigarette buts on sidewalks. The filter of the cigarette is made out of condensed cellulose acetate that is thinner than sewing threads and is not bio-degradable. Typically wind and rain carry the cigarette left casually on city streets into the water supply, where the toxic chemicals from the cigarette filter leak out into aquatic ecosystems, threatening the quality of the water and many aquatic lifeforms. Cigarette butts may seem small, but with several trillion butts littered every year, the toxic chemicals add up.

Another mounting issues is as smokers move to the outdoors, business' feel the need to accommodate these patrons. In the UK for example, during the cold weather months, patio heater were installed and used approximately 237 days. Sounds all good right ? Wrong. These heaters will produce 282,000 tons of emissions this year - a 260,000 ton increase over pre-ban numbers. Environmental groups are in an uproar that such smoking bans should not comprise the health of the environment for the health of the individual.

Thirty five different US states have some kind of smoking ban in place and more than fifty different countries also ban smoking in one way or another. As the numbers continue to grow, new concerns for the environmental impact of such initiatives rise to the surface. Smart smoking bans that combine consumer health with environmental awareness need to be enacted - or both, might just go up in smoke.

Holistic Warfare:Killing Colds and Flues...Naturally

I got ill this weekend - terribly, horribly, knock you on your back ill. It's an interesting phenomena that any ailment seems to arrive immediately following my Saturday morning chiropractic adjustment, my chiropractor calls it "release care" ...meaning releasing of whatever it is that is already in your system. I suppose that it didn't (or did, depending how you look at it) help that I decided to do a little cleanse that day; apple cider vinegar + cayenne mix which came only a couple hours after I ate some of my usual fermented veggies with my lunch. By 1AM it was clear - my body was in the midst of a war - fever, aches, stomach churning and noise effects that seemed more ready for an exorcism then a detox. By Sunday morning when I awoke there was what felt like 10% of me left. Laying in bed I plotted and planned my strategy for recovery.

First: Assessment: Stomach is weak, head is achy, body is weak and achy. In addition - slight fever partnered with nausea. In short, all circuits are short. I wobbled downstairs and pulled some bovine colostrum (amazing immune booster and great for digestive concerns) that we get shipped from a farm out of state. One cool half glass down the drain. I waited 30 mts - to check in and see how it took. All good. Now for a small bowl of raw milk yogurt mixed with raw milk Kefir to get some of the necessary good bacteria back in my gut. Other than some rather exciting sound effects - again, all good. Out of the freezer I removed one frozen container of chicken stock that we get from the farm, made from grass fed organic chickens (making a stock that is cooked for 24 hrs by the farmers...an extraordinary delight). I slowly defrosted it and readied it for sipping throughout the day. Now, onward to my oils.

I have been using essential oils now for about a month. I got turned onto them by a friend who suggested I try them ages ago for my sons respiratory issues (which are now basically non existent). Since then I have used them for a multitude of issues - today they will be my arsenal for recovery. I pulled out a bit of peppermint and put it on my temples and back of my neck to relieve my foggy and achy head as well as nausea, and a few drops on my belly that was still doing some minor somersaults. I put some lemon that mixed with the peppermint in my hands to inhale for a wake me up. Now for the serious stuff.

Out comes the oregano oil (an antiviral power house) to be applied on my feet and then diluted and applied along my spine and wrists. I add to the mix Thieves oil (another powerhouse blend to ward of illness) which also goes on feet. I get my cool mist diffuser and in it I place a mix of Oregano + Thieves + Eucalyptus and turn it full blast - running on an off throughout the day. I don't have any Thyme (anti-bacterial) at the moment - or Di Gize (great for digestive issues), but would have included that if I had. I keep reapplying oils another 2-3 times throughout the day (including at bedtime), in between cups of the fresh soup stock and 500 mg of Vit C about every hour and a half. By nightfall - I am back to 65% me - walking freely, more energy, even daring to eat a peach from the fridge..stomach - responds with mild rumble. I am both impressed and relieved.

I awake in the morning feeling refreshed...today I am 90% me. Today I will get a quickie adjustment, do another regimen of yesterdays arsenal and am confident that by tomorrow I will be back to my vibrant self. Without one drop of cold, flu or stomach medication, pain meds, or visits to doctors I cured myself by trusting my body, my natural healing tool box and my intuition. Healing made cheap, easy and (somewhat) homemade.


(Pictured Above: Influenza Virus Particles in Airways of Human Lungs)

WHO Demands More Graphic Anti-Smoking Campaigns for World No Tobacco Day 2009

WHO today urged governments to require that all tobacco packages include pictorial warnings to show the sickness and suffering caused by tobacco use.

WHO's call to action comes on the eve of World No Tobacco Day, 31 May. This year’s campaign focuses on decreasing tobacco use by increasing public awareness of its dangers.

Studies reveal that even among people who believe tobacco is harmful, few understand its specific health risks. Despite this, health warnings on tobacco packages in most countries do not provide information to warn consumers of the risks.

A 2009 survey in China revealed that only 37% of smokers knew that smoking causes coronary heart disease and only 17% knew that it causes stroke. A 2003 survey in Syria found that only a small fraction of university students correctly identified cardiovascular disease as a hazard of cigarette or water pipe smoking. Research in other countries shows similar results.

The leading preventable cause of death, tobacco kills more than five million people every year. It is the only legal consumer product that kills when used exactly as intended by the manufacturer.

Effective health warnings, especially those that include pictures, have been proven to motivate users to quit and to reduce the appeal of tobacco for those who are not yet addicted. Studies carried out after the implementation of pictorial package warnings (warnings using pictures and text) in Brazil, Canada, Singapore and Thailand reveal remarkably consistent findings on the positive impact of the warnings.

“Health warnings on tobacco packages are a simple, cheap and effective strategy that can vastly reduce tobacco use and save lives," said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Ala Alwan. "But they only work if they communicate the risk. Warnings that include images of the harm that tobacco causes are particularly effective at communicating risk and motivating behavioural changes, such as quitting or reducing tobacco consumption.”

Yet only 10% of the people in the world live in countries that require warnings with pictures on tobacco packages.

"In order to survive, the tobacco industry needs to divert attention from the deadly effects of its products," said Dr Douglas Bettcher, Director of WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative. "It uses multi-million dollar promotional campaigns, including carefully crafted package designs, to ensnare new users and keep them from quitting."

“Health warnings on tobacco packages can be a powerful tool to illuminate the stark reality of tobacco use,” Dr Bettcher added.

Ancient Origins of Birthdays...and Reflections on Mine (Less Ancient)

Today is my birthday - again. It's a funny event filled with dichotomies; it comes every year marking an end to one year and a beginning to another. On the one hand the "big day" begs for reflection, while on the other demands new benchmarks...it's "a whole lot" while ultimately being a day no different then any other (equally as precious and no more divine).

Days of playing "pin the tail on the donkey" with kids on the block, Carvel ice cream cakes and silly hats are far behind, leaving a faint memory of the ignorant revelry that accompanies childhood birthdays. It's not that I'm not equally as excited about the coming year as I was long ago - it's that each year now delivers heavy doses of meaning, filled to the rim with possibility, experience and context. It become serious stuff, that perhaps each year I attempt to take more lightly.

Today I woke up wondering where the heck this idea of birthdays came from in the first place. When and how did the idea of celebrating ones birth really originate ? Before Hallmark took hold of the event, and 1-800-Flowers made their millions...who put the idea on the map of the social psyche? Being the trivia junky that I am, armed with morning java...off I went to figure it out....

Apparently the origin of birthdays as a celebration is pretty old and mysterious stuff, dating back to ancient Egypt and the Pharaoh. One story goes that God gave Joseph some sort of special understanding of a dream by Pharaoh’s butler and baker; the dream foretold that the baker would lose his life three days after Joseph interpreted the dream. Joseph understood that Pharaoh would use the occasion of his own birthday party—to put this baker to death. As the dream had foretold, the baker was hung at the party...I guess we all celebrate in our own way. Ancient scriptures offer little else in terms of birthdays.

The Encyclopedia Judaica has no mention of the celebration of birthdays as part of Jewish ritual. In fact the only religious marking of birth of any kind in Judaism is the Bar Mitzvah - a religious coming of age, which in actuality can be marked on any day but has in secular practice been associated with the 13th birthday.

In Christianity the supposed birthday of Christ is also a total invention. The universal custom of observing Christmas as the birth of Christ, on December 25th, is acknowledged by all the historical authorities as having no basis in actual fact and has no mention in the Bible...and to be specific about it Jesus Christ was born nowhere near December 25th, in the dead of winter.

In fact, birth day celebrations are only mentioned twice in the Scriptures -- once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament – and both times in reference to customs being observed by pagan people -- an Egyptian Pharaoh and king Herod (interestingly both sort of morally questionable characters).

Even Islam scholars oppose the idea of birthday, stemming from Hadith (the oral traditions relating to words and deeds of Muhammad), which forbids adopting traditions and festivities from other faiths.

So how did Birthdays take off then with so little support?

It took the Roman Empire to spread the word of birthdays, which took on some popularity thanks in part to the Mithras; a non-Christian cult originating in Persia, open only to men which believed in a hierarchy of Gods. Mithra was said to be “the judger of souls” and “the protector,” and was considered the representative of Ahura-Mazda the supreme being (the "one uncreated creator") incarnated into human form in 272 bc. It was said, interesting enough, that he was born of a virgin (like another "famous fella"), who was called the Mother of God. Mithra's birthday was celebrated on another supposed famous birthday - December 25. Ahura-Mazda was called “the light of the world,” and after teaching for 36 years, he ascended into heaven in 208 bc.

Mithraism was the official religion of Rome for some 300 years. Later the Christian Church adopted many of the well known traditions of Mithraism, including Sunday as the high holy day and December 25th as the birthday of Christ. Many Roman soldiers took to Mithraism and spread the idea of birthdays throughout the empire. When later Constantine converted to Christianity, he outlawed Mithraism. But we got birthdays and Sunday as church day as a result.

So what do we make of birthdays and their rituals?

Various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays stem from the realm of magic. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating - complete with lit candles - in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year.

There will probably be birthday candles somewhere in the day for me and hopefully no demons, possibly some "offering of gifts," hopefully no executed bakers involved or killing of bulls (as was traditional practices amongst women who mothered Mithras boys). I might get myself a balloon, and get my sugar fix with some cake and break into song - why not ?! One friend suggested I even dance in the moonlight. Who knows, I might take her up on her suggestion, heck even howl at the moon if the spirit moves me. Anything is possible. One thing for sure, there will be the love of my family involved...their laughter and cheer - the best rituals of all.

Man made it may be, involving sketchy histories of hangings, soldiers and deities, I like this invention of birthdays. In simplest terms it instills all good things; celebrations, food, and honoring others. I'll wait to make big plans for the coming year until tomorrow, along with the reflections on yesteryear...today I will fill the day with my own ignorant revelry and maybe a game of pin the tail on the donkey - this time with my own kids on hand.

Curing Asthma Naturally... and Other Lessons in Breathing

In August of 2008 year my then two and a half year old son was admitted to the hospital in respiratory distress. Horror is the only word to describe the experience of watching ones own child gasping for breath. The day started innocently enough; breakfast, laughter, playtime, mom leaves to run errands as dad stays on to play with kids in the August sun. By late afternoon, upon my return, my little boy was sitting on the side of the street looking suspiciously lethargic. It took one quick listen to realize his breathing was off and twenty minutes to get to the hospital. By the next morning, as nurses continued to give him brews of steroid meds, and doctors advised we see pulmonary specialists, it became clear that my life would not be the same. How is it possible that my healthy, rambunctious, bundle of joy who has been raised on organic foods in a home filled with Eco-friendly household cleaners, with not a single relative with any respiratory issues - have them?

Weeks passed filled with repeated episodes of respiratory distress, repeated visits to the hospital, visits to specialists and a diagnosis; Reactive Airway Syndrome (essentially, asthma). Doctors insisted that his condition would be set off by both allergies and viruses. We left doctors offices with medical scripts pages long; Singular- year round, Claritan if necessary or maybe Zyrtec, Xopenex on hand at all times, Pulmicort as a preventative etc etc. With horror I did as advised, I gave one medication at a time to watch my son turn from a cheerful easy going boy, to a hyper and angry child with digestive issues. He had nightmares, stomach cramps, tantrums, dark circles under his eyes and was barely eating. When speaking with his doctors about side effects I heard; " you have to choose between two evils Mrs. Fenster...breathing trumps everything - he might be hyper and angry and thin...but he's breathing." I knew that if I did not search out some other solution, dig under every rock for any other hope I would have a child with a suppressed respiratory challenge and a growing series of conditions from the side effects. Who knows of what would be left of my son in the long run. So I turned to the net, to my friends and to an amazing network of holistic healers I have been blessed to know through my work. And piece by piece the answers came...

I started seeing a pediatric chiropractor with an expertise in cranial sacral therapy, who with twice weekly adjustments managed to keep flare ups at bay. I put my family on a raw dairy diet, and gave my kids daily dose of bovine colostrum. I added mega doses of Vitamin C, probiotics, and fermented cod liver oils. I cut their sugar back to reduce yeast and last but not least, thanks to the advice of friend and contributing writer to The Lohasian, Lisa Fyfe, I turned to the use of essential oils to address boosting immunity and keeping allergies at bay. It has been seven months now and my son, barring a few minutes of itchy eyes on high pollen days, is a normal active boy. His cheeks are bigger and rosier then ever, and his lungs are clear. Our life has resumed to its blessed normalcy. The one cold he has had, that was in fact accompanied by a cough, showed zero signs of inflammation - his doctor was stunned and pleased. The two times he had a cough for unknown reasons was remedied with twenty minutes by a diffusion of an essential oil. The condition, as doctors said, was being managed by a laundry list of substance...it's just that our list is quite different then that which they intended.

Along the way we got kicked out of the pediatric practice we used since our sons birth- for non-compliance. Apparently our choice to not give our child Singulair daily along with other meds, was enough reason to lose us as patients. We found another doctor, one who leaves us with our rights to parent and care for our kids how we choose. I wonder sometimes what would have been had I listened to his original doctors and put him on a stew of medications- what would have happened to my little boy who was struggling so much after a short week of their use? I got lucky, an so did he, by simply choosing to explore all our choices.

My son's asthma has been the biggest challenge and the biggest blessing for our family. It had forced us to prioritize the care of our family first. It demanded that we look for sustainable solutions for our well being - beyond symptoms management. It forced me to look at the places where I still compromised on my family's well being through simple modern day short cuts that actually were not short cuts at all. It has taught me one valuable life long lesson, when faced with a choice of two evils (as one doctors suggested) - choose neither, choose to look for another choice...and for that - we all breathe a sigh of relief.