“With a stout heart, a mouse can lift an elephant.” - Tibetan proverb
Colorado
That’s Natural! Where Sustainability Meets Capitalism For Free People & Communities in Colorado
Spring 2011
Features The Biofuel Transition - Pages 3 & 4 Review of Ecological Intelligence - Page 5 Food Combining Made Easy - Page 6 Recycled Rags - Page 7
Publishing Since April 2006
“An onion can make people cry but there’s never been a vegetable that can make people laugh.’ - Will Rogers
Photo Credit - Cynthia Holling-Morris
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site The spirited history of the Pikes Peak Region comes to life at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. Discover the 1775 American Indian Encampment, the 1860s Galloway homestead, the 1880s Chambers Farm and blacksmith shop and the 1907 Orchard House. Knowledgeable interpreters present true-to-life history of the people of the Pikes Peak region.
In addition to daily activities, visitors can enjoy many special events scheduled throughout the year. Watch an 1880s Base Ball game, military reenactments, musical performances, lectures, horse-drawn equipment demonstrations and the annual Holiday Traditions Celebration. Join us for a day at the Ranch!
Historic structures have been carefully restored to their original condition in a spectacular setting. Activity abounds during this self-guided adventure. Leave the present behind and learn the lifestyle of native peoples at the American Indian Encampment. Discover the rigors of homesteading, the perils of 19th century agriculture and the sophistication of an early 20th century estate built by the founder of Colorado Springs. Enjoy a sarsaparilla at the museum store and choose from a wide variety of historic reproductions, books and unique gifts for sale.
Photo Credits: (Baseball Player and Cowboy) - Cynthia Holling-Morris (Native American) - Rock Ledge Ranch
Watch for Interviews, Restaurant Features and More in That’s Natural! Colorado Springs celebrates its First Annual Chile Chili Festival at the Historic Rock Ledge Ranch on September 3rd, 2011 - Labor Day Weekend. The event will run from 11AM until 4PM. HOT FOOD, COLD DRINKS, and CHILE CHILI FUN! Visit with fabulous chile/chili vendors from the Western Region and be entertained by roaming artists and performers. There will be a Chile-Chili Cook-Off and other delicious and eclectic foods for the entire event (visit www.thatsnatural.info for more information and entry forms). There will even be a poster contest and paint-out featuring artists from around the region. Learn about Sustainability and Farm-To-Fork (Know Your Farmer!) projects from around the Western Slope - all while celebrating the Chile Pepper.
Contact: Steve Thompson, Event Director 719-369-0623 or chilechilifest@gmail.com
Blacksmith working at Rock Ledge Ranch
www.RockLedgeRanch.com
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Everyone Appreciates a Win/Win
That’s Natural! The nutritional, health, environmental, and political information in this newsletter are based on personal experiences and research by the author(s). The author(s), editor, and publisher do not offer medical advice or prescribe the use of diet as a form of treatment for sickness without the approval of a health professional, nor do they accept any responsibility for your viewpoints being expanded or changed. If you do use the information contained in this newsletter without the approval of a health professional, an attorney, or a mentor that you deem worthy of your consciousness, you are prescribing and directing yourself, which is your constitutional right (that we encourage you to exercise), but the author(s), editor, and publisher assume no responsibility.
That’s Natural! Marketing & Consulting PO Box 1476 Pueblo, CO 81002 (719) 210-8273 www.ThatsNatural.info Information: Thats.Natural.Info@gmail.com
Sustainability C.E.O.s If you or someone you know is a Sustainability CEO, we want to know! CEO stands for Community & Environment Organizer – someone who is doing great things for our community! We feature winners every quarter, with all of our applicants and what they are working on – online. Tell the community what you are doing! We, the people in our communities, are who make the difference when it comes to taking care of our families, our community, and our planet. That’s Natural! is dedicated to educating and informing Colorado about sustainable people, products, and services. Please answer these questions, send us back this form, and then you will be notified if you are our next Sustainability CEO, and you will be added to our data-base of positivechange-makers. Email: thats.natural.info@gmail.com
Jennifer Elledge
I recently presented to a group of business leaders about a philosophy that has overwhelmingly positive effects on a business’ success and innovation. Less than two minutes into my presentation the audience threw me a jumble of polarized opinions fluctuating from support and acceptance to resistance and even borderline hostility. Personal judgments and beliefs are often used to define the term sustainability. To some, it can signify a tree-hugging, Birkenstock-wearing hippy concept. To others, it may just be the next buzz word or trend. But to many, sustainability is simply doing the right thing to make the world a better place for future generations. Sustainability is a win/win concept despite political or personal beliefs and practical application. In the business world, corporate sustainability remains top of mind among business leaders and executives even with the economic downturn. Infinite amounts of research and case studies attest to the valuable benefits sustainability yields. Company commitment to sustainable practices is the stepping stone to a world of organizational and technological advancements that reduce costs, increase revenues and enhance efficiencies-all indicators of a prosperous business. However, success does not happen instantaneously and oftentimes, many businesses question what the next steps are after committing to building a sustainable organization. Catamount Institute, a nonprofit organization, has responded to this community-wide call to support businesses committed to implementing sustainable practices by establishing the Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network (PPSBN). The PPSBN is a membership-based network that serves professionals and business owners seeking to broaden their knowledge and significantly improve their impact on the economic, environmental and social resources within their business and community –
otherwise known as their triple bottom line: People, Planet and Profit. The PPSBN provides tools, resources, and inspiration to business leaders from any industry seeking to incorporate sustainable practices in their decisionmaking and strategic planning. Ultimately, PPSBN members strengthen the Pikes Peak region. By incorporating sustainable practices into their decisionmaking, they are promoting a cultural shift in our community. Not only are member businesses more successful, but they become leaders in advancing the reputation of our entire community as a socially responsible, economically thriving and environmentally rich region for living, learning and working certainly a win-win situation for everyone. As part of Catamount Institute’s mission to inspire ecological stewardship, the Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network will feature monthly articles pertaining to the topic of corporate sustainability. By thinking of sustainability as a win/win we can begin to establish solutions that contribute to everyone’s success. It is mine and Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network’s hope to inspire consumers and businesses alike to recognize and embrace the importance of sustainability. For further information about Catamount Institute’s Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network visit www.catamountinstitute.org and click on the “Our Work With Businesses” icon.
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Bridging the Biofuel Transition: A Simplified Approach Using Straight Vegetable Oil By Dr. Perry E. Cabot, Colorado State University Like many people, I first became aware of biodiesel about 10 years ago, in my case when I was in my Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. One evening at a cohort’s get-together, I remember meeting one of those “off the grid” types that are prevalent in the Madison social structure: part-time student, full-time activist. In between swigs of his microbrew, this guy raved on and on about some old Mercedes he converted to run on vegetable oil. “Burns clean and smells like French fries,” he noted, consistent with the typical refrain. As he explained the details to me, I learned about the book From the Fryer to Fuel Tank (2003) by Joshua Tickell, which I picked up a few days later. Unlike my acquaintance, however, I never did buy a diesel vehicle, or really even commit to biodiesel at all for that matter. To be honest, the idea of propositioning the local McDonald’s (or Burger King or wherever) just seemed like a lot more work than I was willing to put in for what I surmised would be a fairly insubstantial impact on my wallet, however progressive the idea might be. To be even more blunt, the whole approach had a sort of “bottom feeder” stigma to it, which is not to say that it wasn’t sensible, but I wasn’t sold on the idea that sucking spent oil from fast-food grease traps was going to make a noticeable dent in the larger sphere of the fossil fuel crisis. I have a feeling that my Mercedes-driving acquaintance would agree with me, and probably even admit that his purposes were more selfish than virtuous. He may have just wanted to save a few bucks on gas and probably gain a little notoriety for using such a novel fuel alternative. Anyone with even a cursory understanding of sustainability issues, however, knows that these “frybrid” drivers aren’t misguided. Over the past decade, there is mounting support that biofuels will be critical to our civilization’s future relationship with energy, both in the United States and abroad. Those who watch this topic closely are likely aware of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) promulgated in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, along with the recently expanded
RFS-2 signed earlier this year. The second installment of this standard now specifically outlines a component for U.S. diesel fuel, requiring the use of 650 million gallons of biomass-based diesel in 2010, increasing gradually to 1 billion gallons in 2012. The RFS2 further stipulates a minimum of 1 billion gallons for domestic use from 2012 through 2022 (NOTE: USEPA is also authorized to increase the requirement). While these numbers might seem large, it is quite sobering to compare them with current U.S. diesel fuel consumption – approximately 50 billion gallons per year. A similar parallel exists in regards to motor gasoline and its alternatives (ethanol, etc.). So, the new era of biofuel is being ushered in about as rapidly as it takes one to climb out of – well, a tarpit. Aside from the lack of real political muscle on this issue, a number of other factors continue to stifle progress towards a broad energy economy for renewable fuels. In regards to biodiesel, for example, these various factors include the lack of a stable market (arguably made worse by delays in extending the $1-per-gallon Biodiesel Tax Credit, set to expire again this year), along with intense competition between various renewable fuel sectors and approaches, and the underlying fact that the nature of the problem with which we are dealing is indeed quite complex. Nevertheless, in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the arguments supporting increased use of biofuels are becoming ever more relevant. Whether it is the energy security proponents who advocate ways of reducing US military incursions into hostile yet oil-rich countries, or environmental activists who favor carbon neutral approaches and lower greenhouse gas emissions, the dialogue always comes back to biofuels being integral to these goals.
Unfortunately, a sudden shift away from using petroleum-based fuels is unlikely in the coming years and perhaps decades, given that competing social, economic and political forces are not currently aligned to support this transition. The biofuel agenda continues to be valid and ever more timely, however, so what options are available as a “bridge” to continue moving on this path, until the more complex and larger solutions bear out? Consider the words of Gen. George Patton, whose maxim that “a good plan implemented today is better than a perfect plan implemented tomorrow” befits this transition. One such “good plan” in underway right here in the Arkansas Valley, at The Big Squeeze, LLP in Rocky Ford (about 50 miles east of Pueblo on Highway 50) started by producers Hal Holder, Joel Lundquist and Rick Young. Adopting an approach from Daniel McAmoil, a Kansas grain farmer and cattle rancher, the three men invested in the necessary equipment to extract straight vegetable oil (SVO) from oleaginous (oilseed) plants, such as canola (Brassica napus L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), and camelina (Camelina sativa). The main goal was to develop a comparable low-viscosity fuel derived from SVO, which they could grow easily on their farms, while Continued Page 4
Where Sustainability Meets Capitalism
That’s Natural!
RESOURCES
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Bridging the Biofuel Transition, Continued
Continued from Page 3
avoiding the challenges of traditional biodiesel production. Making biodiesel, for instance, requires an alcohol input, such as methanol or ethanol, in the presence of a potentially dangerous catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide), then yielding glycerin as a by-product. Furthermore, while SVO can be burned in typical diesel engines, some modifications are necessary for heating so it moves through the fuel lines and burns effectively when it reaches the combustion chamber of the engine. Having decided that these engine modifications were only slightly less cumbersome than full-scale biodiesel production, the approach adopted by The Big Squeeze is based on a simple modification of the SVO itself. The key ingredient? Regular unleaded gasoline (RUG), and yes – I was perplexed too. The Big Squeeze, to be clear, does not actually produce biodiesel, or any fuel for that matter. Instead, for a nominal fee based on tonnage, they simply process the oilseed so that local farmers do not have to invest in the expensive equipment needed to extract the clean oil. Moreover, the “cake” that remains after processing is also an optimum feed for animal herds, and offers a financial return along with the oil. Thereafter, the SVO user needs an on-farm metered tank system (Figure 1) in order to mix SVO and RUG at approximately a 3:1 ratio to achieve a specific gravity (SG) of 0.865. The specific gravity can be measured easily with a simple tool called a hydrometer, available for about $40-$50 through a laboratory equipment supplier. Aside from its simplicity, the reason why this mixture is remarkable is that the 3:1 ratio means that for every gallon of fuel used, approximately 75% is derived from vegetable oil, while the remaining 25% would still come from petroleum-based fuel. Obviously, this is not a small reduction. The blend ratio may have to be modified somewhat depending on temperature conditions, for instance, but significant reductions are still available. Since fuel costs are one of the single largest and most uncertain expenses faced during the cropping season, farmers in the Rocky Ford area have used this method for several years to power farm machines and vehicles with favorable results. The simple SVO/RUG mixture has been used in unmodified diesel engines, thus far without problems or any reduction in their performance. In 2009, I heard Mr. Holder speak at the annual Arkansas Valley Farm/Ranch/Water Symposium & Trade Show. Although my knowledge of biofuels was somewhat negligible, I was intrigued by the idea that oilseeds, particularly winter canola, might offer a viable alternative to crops like corn and alfalfa, which will be unrealistic in settings of reduced water supplies. Agricultural production in the Lower Arkansas Valley of Colorado will continue to be impacted by water rights transfer and lease arrangements in the coming years. Much of the water once used for irrigation will be used by municipal and industrial (M&I) interests. These shifts will require significant adaptation within the region as agricultural practices change, but I
do not believe it is a foregone conclusion that water transfers will cause agriculture to deteriorate. Over the past year, Colorado State University (CSU) has worked with the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, Southeast Colorado Resource Conservation & Development Council, and Colorado Department of Agriculture to secure funding for further testing of oilseed crops that can be used in this simplified approach to biofuel. For example, we have conducted research on various lines of winter canola during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons, which showed production averaging 1,583 lb/acre (Figure 2), yielding between 50-100 gallons of SVO per acre. This work will continue for more seasons as we continue to evaluate the yield potential of canola in the Arkansas Valley, along with other oilseed crops such as sunflower and camelina. As our research continues, we will better understand the proper management portfolio for these crops and the yield goals will continue to improve. While the Arkansas Valley will probably never offer the climate for “explosive” yields on oilseed crops, they provide a greater return to the land than simply letting it fallow and being overtaken by weeds. The CSU Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory is also participating to compare several of the SVO/ RUG blends to typical diesel fuel. Though the project is in its preliminary phase of testing, our results indicate performance similar to typical diesel fuel. For example, three different blends were tested for power availability in a 4.5L John Deere tractor engine (Figure 3) using a dynamometer at the CSU facility. Results indicated 151.33 hp available for a “diesel baseline” representing typical petroleum-based diesel, as compared with 134.01, 140.62, and 142.99 for blends representing 68%, 34%, and 23% SVO respectively. These percentages represent the Blend A, B, and C in Figure 3. The remaining elements of the mixture included RUG or some fraction of RUG and actual diesel fuel. These results are expected. The physics alone will not allow any increase in power when using SVO because the energy is just not in the crop oils to produce it. Diesel fuel, for example, has a heating value of about 43 MJ/kg (mega‐joules/kilogram) while most crop oils, including canola and sunflower, hover around 37 MJ/kg. The assessment from users of the Big Squeeze blended fuel, however, is that they do not detect any noticeable change. Continued research will evaluate whether the comparable experience is due to other factors, such as the increased lubricity associated with SVO as compared with typical diesel fuel
Our environmental results indicated a slight increase in the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions (Figure 4) while reducing hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions (Figure 5). In regards to the oxides of nitrogen, these emissions have been documented to increase or decrease in comparable tests, depending on the engine family and testing procedures. Our continual research will examine this issue in greater detail. The reduction of hydrocarbon emissions, however, is consistent with other biofuels such as biodiesel. In conclusion, the readers are most likely aware that the concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel is nothing new. Dr. Rudolf Diesel first developed the diesel engine in 1895 with the full intention of running it on a variety of fuels, including vegetable oil. Diesel demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 using peanut oil as fuel. In 1911 he stated “The diesel engine can be fed with vegetable oils and would help considerably in the development of agriculture of the countries which use it.” In 1912, Diesel said “the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in course of time as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time.” As we approach the 100-year anniversary of these statements, Dr. Diesel’s thinking surely seems remarkable for his time. We should be comforted, however, by the fact that we face a very soluble problem, considering that even 100 years ago a dominant use of biofuels was entirely reasonable. Although automotive and mechanical technology has changed and become more demanding, we have solutions that can take us to the next generation of fuel consumption, as long as we can bridge the transition effectively. The Big Squeeze offers one such solution as an immediate measure to help meet the goals required by this bridge. Dr. Perry Cabot is a Water Resources Specialist and Affiliate Assistant Professor for Colorado State University. He completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering and Land Resources at the University of Wisconsin.
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Review of Ecological Intelligence by Daniel Goleman Merry Dankanich More and more of us are doing what we can to support a sustainable lifestyle. We recycle, bring our own shopping bags, buy local and organic as much as possible, you know the drill. But if you’ve ever felt a little overwhelmed when you go shopping, especially for things like cell phones or clothes or dish soap, not sure which product is really a sustainable choice, you are absolutely right. You don’t really know because that sort of information hasn’t been available until recently.
like Facebook and Twitter give consumers even more power to influence the market by allowing them to voice their concerns about a product quickly to a large number of people. Thoughtful consumers can significantly influence companies to change the way they make things. 5. When businesses have this information, they can improve their products. Businesses need to make a profit in order to survive, but they don’t necessarily have to sacrifice profit to make their products more sustainably. With Earthster, they will have the resources they need to respond to consumer demands, or to make changes of their own accord.
In his latest book, Ecological Intelligence: how knowing the hidden impacts of what we buy can change everything, Daniel Goleman shares his exploration of what it means to be ecologically conscious in today’s world. What he finds is: 1. Being “green” is much more complicated than we realize. Because many labels are designed to make us think a product is environmentally friendly, we don’t really know for sure which ones are and which ones aren’t. They often sound the same, intentionally. This strategy has a name: “greenwashing”. 2. We don’t have the information we need in order to make truly green choices. Goleman offers an expanded definition of green: not just a product’s environmental impact, but its biological and social impacts as well (for example, if it contains ingredients that might cause cancer, or whether it was made with child labor). 3. There are people out there working to bring us this information. Goleman predicts that his key idea, “radical transparency” in the marketplace, will be the next big wave of information for society to absorb and respond to. Companies like GoodGuide and Earthster are gathering data on a variety of products and
analyzing their total impact, from how they are made to how they are used and disposed of. Consumers can look up products on GoodGuide (www.goodguide.com) to see what they rate on health, the environment, and society. Businesses can use Earthster (www.earthster.org) to map their supply chain, see which areas are least socially and environmentally friendly, and find and exchange information on greener processes and suppliers.
Ecological Intelligence is full of inspiring interviews, case studies, and a ton of useful information—a little hard to follow sometimes, but definitely worth reading. For more information and updates, you can also visit the author’s website at www.danielgoleman.com. Even if you don’t pick up the book, be sure to check out GoodGuide (www.goodguide.com) and Earthster (www.earthster.org), use them, and tell everyone you know about them. Our choices matter, and we CAN make a difference! Merry Dankanich is a local writer and avid reader whose interests include sustainability, agriculture, and health.
4. When consumers have and use this information, they become powerful market shapers. They have the ability to vote with their money, to make purchasing decisions that support their values. Social networking tools
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities - No Joke Tisha Casida
Part of my frustration in the past ten years has been being the canary in the coal mine for my family and friends who just have no idea how dangerous certain chemicals are. After my over-exposure to pesticides/insecticides as a child, I have left my now 29-year-old body in a state that is super-sensitive to chemicals that I come in contact with. Sometimes they are perfumes, sometimes cleaners, and sometimes other scents and antibacterial lotions/potions that are chock-full of chemicals that in small quantities can actually be dangerous. Small quantities become large quantities when you take into the equation all of the other chemicals that are raging in our food, air, water, etc. Today the culprit is methyl nonyl ketone, which is in some strange pet-repellent that was sprayed in my parent’s home. Now, of course the MSDS sheet and other information says things like “Carcinogenic Effects: Not available”, “Mutagenic effects: Not available”, “Teratogenic Effects: Not available”, “Developmental Toxicity: Not available”. Nothing is known. Now, everyone would like you to think that the unknown
is because there is no problem there – I, canary in the coal mine, can tell you that this chemical has some ill-effect on something because I can sense it. It sets off my senses and makes me feel ill. Unfortunately in our society, such a warning is not enough. So, this is a battle cry. An opportunity to educate others – a cry out to others who have chemical sensitivities or MCS – that you are not alone. More and more people will become sensitive as our human bodies start to recognize that they are full-up of poison. Only then, will so many people change. But, it has to start somewhere, it has to be written, it has to be expressed. We do that here – albeit the fate of a canary for anyone who recognizes the dangers of the pollutants that we fill our environment, our home, and our body with. Find more articles on Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and toxins in the environment at http://blog.thatsnatural.info.
“In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties.” – Henri Frederic Amiel
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FOOD
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Food Combining Made Easy by Herbert Shelton, A Book Review Chris Stern
What Happened to Eden? Imagine a world filled with free food, perfect health and good natured, law abiding citizens. No laws are needed because the human inhabitants of this world lack the scourge of inappropriate desire. Lacking inappropriate desire, people exhibit unselfish, indiscriminate virtue. Such a world, dubbed the Garden of Eden exists in the book of Genesis of The Holy Bible. Interestingly, accounts of this world also exist in The Analects given by Confucius as well as ancient Daoist traditions. All three of these, essentially historical or even simply ideological accounts arrive at the same conclusion. At some point during the course of the existence of Eden, something happens and humankind starts to inherit a world filled with greed, selfish desire, and man-made laws that cannot, it seems, remain unbroken.
American cuisine today. There are many stakeholders present that would contest any truth that these rules may or may not contain. These stakeholders can be summarized within the groups of for profit industries as well as the individual desires of appetite. Basically everyone is a stakeholder in the current notions of how one should eat and remains one of the most difficult notions to deconstruct, both personally and collectively. Based on my own self knowledge and personal experiments, I posit that this has been the case since the beginnings of civilization. In relation to the Garden of Eden, my idea is essentially that the Fruit from the Tree of Knowledge actually represents the beginning of processing foodstuffs and combining them in unnatural ways in human history. Perhaps there never was a time when all people on this planet ate natural
In modern times, a little known movement, dubbed the Natural Hygiene Movement, proposes that the ideals of an Eden like existence have not completely fallen away from humanity. Rather, through proper and disciplined choices, based on the scientific research undertaken by medical doctors, all of humanity contains the ingredients necessary to regress back to an Eden-like existence.
The most fundamental aspect of these rules is that they are based on digestion. Medical Doctors in the 1800’s conducted, live, practical research on digestion. The rules then are a product of their findings along with Shelton’s own experiences and those of the people he treated. It is worth mentioning that in his lifetime, Shelton was jailed several times during his life for practicing medicine without a license. In 1921 he graduated from the American School of Naturopathy with a Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) and a Doctor of Naturopathic Literature (ND Lit). He published over forty books and ran several sanitariums across the country. Still, he was plagued with legal battles as the establishment was and still is critical of his views. The rules that are put forth in Food Combining Made Easy are simple, but they do fly in the face of what is considered
Lunch – Eat starchy vegetables such as squash, potatoes and/or whole grains with vegetable salad. The complex carbohydrates in these types of vegetables will sustain your energy levels for the rest of the day while naturally providing vitamins and minerals. Leafy greens are the backbone of a vegetable salad but other examples exist as well. Watch out for processed carbohydrates as most of the nutrients have been leached from the flours during the processing. Attempts to add vitamins and nutrients to processed food would not need to occur if the food was not processed. In essence, keep it natural. Dinner – Choose a single protein source and eat this with vegetable salad. Meaty proteins are all flesh, so there is not a problem combining different meats. However, cheese is a separate type of protein from meat and do not combine well. Similarly, natural proteins are found in a variety of foods that are grown that should be kept to a single source of protein (i.e. nuts, chickpeas etc.). Proteins at the end of the day help facilitate the natural healing process as these materials are largely what the body uses to repair itself. Separated from the starches, the body is able to utilize the individual nutrients most efficiently and effectively.
In his classic book, Food Combining Made Easy, Herbert M. Shelton takes up a mere sixty-three pages of a reader’s time to expound on the essential dietary choices which contain the power to awaken Eden in all of humanity. First published in 1940, Food Combining Made Easy remains available to today’s reader. Mainly a practical guide to eating, this volume does touch on the need to balance emotional and physical aspects of a person. For a person capable of following a few simple rules, however, this little book provides strict guidelines that go beyond simply eating those vegetables that a lot of mothers and doctors have given up attempting to facilitate. Compared to modern societal staples of fast food, junk (processed) food and more food – this little book seems stricter than ten pairs of helicopter parents put together.
and lasting boost of energy nicely regarded at the beginning of the day. Watch out for fruitful combinations that put acids and bases together. For Instance, Apples and oranges do not combine as well as oranges and strawberries. For evidence of this, try combining baking soda and orange juice in a container without entertaining a naturally energetic reaction.
Water – Do not drink water with a meal. This washes away the digestive enzymes needed to properly digest the food. Drink water at least ten minutes before a meal and after enough time has passed for the meal to be digested. diets. Nonetheless, one thing I do know for certain through my own experience is that the practical implementation of the natural diet put forth by Shelton in Food Combining Made Easy, practiced over time (two or more days) brought an Eden-like existence directly into my personal viewfinder. Following are the basic rules, organized in the three-meals-aday schema of daily sustenance that most world citizens desire to enjoy today. These are purposely abridged; something that is a keystone to harnessing the potential of this information is to take that personal step forward and discover for yourself how this information can be used and what further information you might need to further your own understanding. For starters though, you might try these rules for a day as a personal gauge. After all, what is one day without a sandwich and all of its manifestations that tend to be the very definition of American Cuisine (i.e. burgers, pizza, burritos, chow mien, spaghetti etc.). Breakfast – Eat fruit. Fresh fruit is a natural combination of vitamins, nutrients and simple sugars that will provide a quick
“The fight to save family farms isn’t just about farmers. It’s about making sure that there is a safe and healthy food supply for all of us. It’s about jobs, from Main Street to Wall Street. It’s about a better America.” - Willie Nelson
Are you a Farmer? Producer? Restaurant? Cafe? Do you Support Local? We Want to Hear YOUR Story! thats.natural.info@gmail.com
Cheating – When cross-combining does occur, Shelton recommends skipping a meal to allow the body time to digest the food properly. In his landmark book, Food Combining Made Easy, Shelton provides a definition of eating that largely escapes civilized minds today. Are his rules a road map to Eden? Was there ever an Eden or a Golden Age like those described in the literatures that survive from the past into the present? Can we as individuals transform ourselves, thereby providing a guiding light for the rest of humanity by the disciplined application of this definition of eating? Doesn’t it make sense that at the root of any type of change we desire to make for ourselves, in our lives, lays the very stuff that we put into our bodies? The historical question may never be answered but the others, by my own personal assessment are rhetorical. Chris Stern is a blue-collar-scholar; he works and goes to school in Pueblo, Colorado. He can be reached by email at undestroyer@tvbl.info
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RESOURCES
American Wiping Rags Good American Post Staff Reports
Just what are these products? American Wiping Rags (AWR) manufactures ten different types of disposable cotton wiping rags and all of these come from 100% recycled cotton material. AWR also has a microfiber cleaning line including microfiber cloths, mops, and dusters. If you are unfamiliar with microfiber cleaning products, they have a unique ability to attract dust, lint, dirt, and grease and trap these particles within the microfiber; the microfibers are also extremely absorbent and can absorb several times their weight in liquid (and can be washed at least 200 times and are biodegradable). In 2009, AWR added another product made of paper, wool, and cotton that can be used to contain oil-based spills as well as hazardous liquids.
AWR is a 100% minority woman owned business. McPherson has three parttime employees that assist in the manufacturing and shipping of these product lines to customers around the country. Being a small-business owner is no small task, and McPherson is familiar and trained in all aspects of a business including sales, delivering, bookkeeping, and marketing. The “RagPeople News”, a seasonal newsletter from AWR, is one of McPherson’s marketing mechanisms in addition to working with several chambers of commerce, business networks, leads groups, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to name just a few. McPherson’s dedication to people, her community, and her country, is commendable. Although seeing some effects from the economic downturn, the Rag Diva’s will to prosper, to work even harder, and to grow and expand during this crucial period is wielding great results for American Wiping Rags. Just this year, McPherson,
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“You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself.” - Nelson Mandela
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Why Rags?
“I wanted to make a difference in the world. I was raised to recycle and decided to start my own business where I could make a difference and keep lots of extra stuff out of the landfills. I buy materials for the rags that can be recycled or reused before they end up in the landfills.” with the assistance of Diamond Autocraft, created her newest marketing endeavor – the AWR van (pictured above). This ’82 Chevy C-20 has an all-custom body and paint job that reflects the American spirit and even wins McPherson salutes as she drives by. An interesting mix of sustainability, recycling, conserving, and entrepreneurship is what makes AWR a truly unique company that is thriving because of its sustainable value chain and McPherson’s dedication to the customer through her product offerings. You can learn more about AWR from the website, RagPeople.com, and you can call McPherson if you would like to learn more about her products and services (719-671-7604).
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Shelley McPherson, owner of American Wiping Rags with her custom delivery van. PHOTO CREDIT: Small Business Development Center & Steve Bigley - APS
GreenDrinks!
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Good American Post Staff Reports
Shelley McPherson is also known as the “Rag Diva”. An entrepreneur with Navajo blood, this small-business owner is building an American company that recycles, promotes capitalism, and provides valuable products to the marketplace.
www.ThatsNatural.info
Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks. Active in over 600 cities worldwide! Go to greendrinks.org to find the one closest to you …
Green Drinks!
Energy Rebate Movement Sweeping Colorado Join the