My first published article......

The following was published in Beach to Bay Times ~ local calendar & commentary book:

Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMOs) ~ What’s All The Hype?!

First what is a GMO?  Wikipedia describes it as:  A genetically modified organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

To explain it even further…the term GM foods or GMOs is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content.   Genetic engineering can create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy. Not only can genes be transferred from one plant to another, but genes from non-plant organisms also can be used. The best known example of this is the use of Bt genes in corn and other crops.  Bt, or Bacillus thuringiensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae.  Bt crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn, enabling the corn to produce its own pesticides against insects such as the European corn borer.   Don’t those crystal proteins sound delish?

What does that mean for you and me?  Basically it means our foods are genetically altered.  Corn, soy, sugar, canola and sugar beets are just a few of these foods.  Also you’re most likely ingesting GMOs if you’re eating conventional poultry, dairy or meat. The animals are either treated with hormones (to increase milk production, for example) or GMOs are present in their feed (corn, soy).

You have to ask yourself, are these foods really safe?  Have they been tested?  Since GMOs were introduced in 1996 the deteriorating health of Americans does raise questions.  Within nine years, the number of people with three or more chronic diseases nearly doubled.  And overall food related illnesses doubled from 1994 to 2001, according to the Centers of Disease Control.  There is no systematic, well-funded investigation to explore links between GMO consumption and any disease.   Does that make us the guinea pigs?

So what’s a person to eat?  All organic GMO free products?  That would be pretty radical and expensive but you have to ask yourself (and your body) are GMOs right for you?

About our contributing writer:  Julie McKamey is a Wellness Coach and is the chapter leader for the Wicomico County Weston A. Price Foundation.  She lives in Salisbury with her husband, Dr. Kevin McKamey, who is a Chiropractor at Delmarva Chiropractic.

 

Peeps Are Pigs....

A photo journal of proof.....

We really should take better care of what was made for us to live on!  ;-P

Relax, Rest, Regenerate, Renew, Revive AAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH

Relax means:

~ to become less tense, rigid, or firm.

~ to become less strict or severe; grow milder.

~ to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., especially for the sake of rest or recreation.

~ to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.

Relax was the key word for my Valentines Day weekend.  And ya know what…it was good!  We do not do it often, the kind of "relax" where you LEAVE the house and the worries of life behind and drive to a nearby (so you are not road weary) destination and relax!  It was all a surprise for me, a very nice surprise that was pulled off with some help but still he did good!

So I was thinking about how important it is to relax as part of stress relieve.  We all get stressed out sometimes and need to just get away, check out from reality, take a break from life, if only for a few hours.

Stress seems to rule our days, to rule our weeks, to rule our months and it’s time to do something about it!  Come on, I know you know what I am blogging about.  You wake up stressing over this or that on a regular basis.  Don't ya?!  You can admit it!!

Why is reducing stress so important?  Because it is not healthy for you and wellness is our focus here peeps!  Overall well being of our mind, body and soul.  I’m here to educate, empower and encourage you to handle your stress!  So here's some stress fighting tips:

Relax ~ Just do nothing, do not think about the stresses of life, it can be for an hour, a day or an entire weekend, just do it!  Leave the cell phones, office stuff and worries of world in a box and don't open the lid!

Breathe ~ Sit up straight, close your eyes and inhale and exhale, nice and easy, then repeat 10 times.  3 deep breathes like this before you begin to consume your meal can go a long way too!

Eat Chocolate ~ A piece of dark chocolate might be just the nibble you need to brighten your outlook and reduce stress. (milk chocolate doesn’t count)  Did I mention we did “Death by Chocolate” this weekend?!  Yeah baby!

Soothing Scents  ~ To calm those nerves in an instant, try inhaling aromas from lavender or peppermint oils.

Take a Bath ~  Hydrotherapy has been practiced for years.  Its healing and restorative powers are great. To make your tub-time extra therapeutic, sprinkle in a handful of bath salts, turn down the lights, turn on some relaxing music, light an aromatherapy candle and LOCK THE BATHROOM DOOR AND THROW AWAY THE KEY!!  ;-)

Get Moving  ~  Even if it’s the last thing you feel like doing go for a brisk walk!  A walk is one of the quickest, most effective ways to reduce stress.  Pound it out!

Go to Your HaPpY pLaCe ~ When you feel tension throughout your body, calm those nerves by closing your eyes and picturing your happy place.  I like to go the beach, hear the waves crashing, feel the sand between my toes and the sun on my face.  There is usually a little umbrella drink in my hand too!  The mind can be very powerful sometimes!
 

Now that I've shared some relaxing, stress fighting tips I'd like to thank the owner and staff of The Refuge Inn www.refugeinn.com for the wonderful accommodations, the owner and staff of Waterside Inn for the sweet hospitality and awesome finish line of the Death by Chocolate trail and to all the local merchants that participated in the event.