Take time to locate this symbol on plastic containers. The SPI resin identification code assigns each of these resins a number from 1 to 6.What does the number mean? The plastics industry has determined the number should be in an inconspicuous location, so buying decisions are not influenced. For those concerned about their health and the planets health it is a number worth seeking out when making purchases.

The overwhelming majority of plastic packaging is made with one of six resins:

1. polyethylene terephthalate (PETE): This plastic is the easiest to recycle. Used for soda bottles, water and medicines. It can be recycled into fibers used in polyester products.
2. high density polyethylene (HDPE): Prevalent in water bottles, those ubiquitous plastic storage containers, plastic shopping bags and many other rigid plastic containers. Over 60 million tons are used world-wide. It can be recycled, but is not bio-degradable.
3. polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl): A lucrative plastic, pvc is widely used in the construction trade. PVC finds many routes to enter our lives, with the addition of plasticizers to soften the material it is used in shower curtains and baby bottles. The material has been determined to be hazardous as it leeches out toxic by products which affect the air quality. The chemical by products are potentially hazardous.
4. low density polyethylene (LDPE): This is tough product, virtually unbreakable. One of its applications is the plastic that surrounds and holds six packs in place…and has wrapped itself around wildlife and fish, killing them. Used for toys and for durable rigid plastic containers. Can be recycled.
5. polypropylene (PP): This plastic has a wide range of applications, from money to ink pens, fiber, rope, carpet. PP is also used to make clear films and roofing materials. It can be recycled.
6. polystyrene (PS): Used to plastics and resin products, foam and packaging materials. Avoid this substance. It is often found in restaurant take out containers. It does not break down.
7. Other, mainly polycarbonate or mixtures of the other plastics: Used in sunglasses, plastic drinking bottles, this resin has been studied extensively and leeches toxins, notably bisphenol A. Not favored by recycling companies.

For information of safe baby bottles, this green guide can help. And this green guide rates common household plastics.

The total removal of the breast, a mastectomy is radical surgery. Once seen as an option of last resort, more women are choosing to undo the procedure. Researchers do not understand why. Researchers say the reasons for this increase are unclear. But they have determined that women at Mayo Clinic who underwent diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to surgery to treat early-stage breast cancer had a higher rate of mastectomy, compared to women who did not have an MRI.

Options

Lifestyle choices are also factors as to who may develop breast cancer. Several common, everyday items that have been implicated are listed below. Some of these items are considered to be breast cancer myths and there are some that avoid them to reduce their risk of breast cancer.

• milk and diary products
• bras (underwear) [due to restricting the lymph glands]
• chemicals used to remove underarm hair
• hormonal contraceptives

Make daily choices that build health, move, dance, smile, practice living joyfully and eat good, clean food.

Ginger root is considered an herb and a food. It is highly regarded medicinally and incorporated into many herbal healing formulas. Ginger works to increase the circulation, eases upset stomachs and aids digestion; a few of its benefits.

For us ginger lovers out there, we just know its a delicious addition to many recipes. Ginger root can also stand out by itself as a hot beverage. In this recipe ginger, shines as a cooling drink.

Ginger Cooler

4 ounces freshly grated ginger root
fresh lemon juiced (remove seeds)(optional)
water, 32 ounces approximately
honey or agave nectar

1. Simmer ginger in one quart of water for 10 minutes.
2. Add lemon juice.
3. Pour heated ginger (lemon) water into a heat resistant jar and close. You can opt to leave in the pot also.
4. Allow tea to steep for three to four hours at room temperature.
5. Strain. Dilute to taste with additional water. Add sweetener.

Enjoy.

“Trying to become like somebody else, or like your ideal, is one of the main causes of contradiction, confusion and conflict.

A mind that is confused, whatever it does, at any level, will remain confused; any action born of confusion leads to further confusion. I see this very clearly; I see it as clearly as I see an immediate physical danger. So what happens? I cease to act in terms of confusion any more.
Therefore inaction is complete action.”
-J. Krishnamurti, Freedom from the Known.

These pictures depict rare, odd medical conditions. If you are squeamish you may choose to skip this slide show (here).

The Commonwealth Fund has released a report on the under insured in America. Since 2003, according to their research the numbers have risen 60% to million people. Click here for a video of the findings.

As the numbers continue to rise more middle class Americans are finding their families affected.
Should health care be tied to a for profit system? Should the ability to profit from sickness be capped?

The nature imagery in this video is soothing and the music just heightens the experience.  Watching the cyclic natural process reminds one, that it mirrors our own life changes.

A change of pace for your musical enjoyment.

The spread of drug-resistant germs is the main topic among the 12,000 infectious-disease experts at this week’s Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology.

“We really are running out of therapeutic options for common diseases,” said Dr. Michael Scheld, the conference’s program chairman.

For patients, the rise of drug-resistant microbes means that the medicine they get for their infection may not make them better. Often, this is little more than an inconvenience. More than 100 antibiotics are now on the market, and if one fails to work, doctors can always switch to another.

But many fear that the time is growing near when there will be no alternative antibiotic to turn to.

Since people are most likely to catch antibiotic-resistant germs in hospitals, many are developing strategies to control their spread. (continued)

According to AMA births should take place in the hospital or perhaps a birthing center. Is this reasonable? Who decides? And why?
Ricki Lake former talk show host has the AMA up in arms because of her documentary film, “The Business of Being Born.”

Birthing has changed dramatically especially in the West. Women, traditionally did just fine with the whole process, thank you. What was once, sacred and traditionally performed by wise women and priestesses has become the province of men and sterile places, which by the way harbor drug resistant organisms. A recent report states that most U.S. hospitals do a poor job of promoting breast feeding. Hospitals often give formula to more than half of healthy newborns. In an effort to keep babies quiet, sugar water is given. There are practices in hospital births that are unfeeling, can I say barbarous to say the least. When looked at objectively the newborn greeting seems to say welcome to the cold, cruel world instead of a world of love, acceptance and empowerment.

If a woman decides with her family to have a home birth, plans and prepares for it, more power to her. Oh, and if she wants to use the services of a midwife that is ok too.