You may have heard the story of Washington Redskins cheerleader Desiree Jennings who was injured by a flu shot vaccine; however, the mainstream media never gives you the complete story.

Desiree was in the prime of her life (mid-20s) and she was an avid runner and athlete. Apparently, she received a flu shot and quickly began to develop a neurological problem called Dystonia.

During this time, she was unable to breathe and suffered seizures every minute. Her family was preparing for her to die!

Fortunately, Dr. Rashid Buttar came to the rescue with Holistic Medicine at his Center for Advanced Medicine.

Desiree was detoxified from the heavy metals her body encountered from the vaccine and soon her body began to heal itself and life came back to her.

Soon she was able to talk, stand, eat, and breathe on her own.

To the rescue…

Before meeting Dr. Buttar, two different hospitals had diagnosed Desiree with the incurable Dystonia as a result of the FLU SHOT! Yet the mainstream medical community denies that this impairment could EVER be from a vaccine. Dr. Buttar has even been threatened for a loss of licensure because of his medical practices. These forms of treatment are far from the standard practices in hospitals across the U.S. and Medical Boards do not want any part of it.

Dr. Buttar focuses on removing toxic substances and heavy metals through chelation, antioxidants, nutrition, natural antivirals, and much more. Top physicians had no hope for this girl as modern medicine does not focus on the natural ability of the body to heal itself. Instead, it is a game to find the prescription to cover up symptoms or just replace them with another symptom in order to pretend the problem has gone away.

The great thing about holistic medicine is the value it gives to the human body. Our creator made us this way so why not begin with the body? Or even better, how about preventive medicine like Chiropractic care and basic education?

In Closing…

The main point I want to make about this amazing story is that education can really change your life. I never knew so much about natural living until a few years ago, so I can understand why people just don’t know…

Desiree was an avid athlete and she probably took great care of her body. But, like so many Americans, she believed the lies the media feed us when it comes to vaccines and health. She decided it would probably be best to receive a flu shot because everyone else was getting one–even though she probably had NO IDEA what was in it? How about a heavy-metal cocktail???

In the end, this story had a positive ending. Somehow Dr. Buttar came into her life when there was no hope and then he restored that hope to her. I truly hope this girl’s life will totally change and that she will become an advocate for Holistic Medicine.

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

The following outline need not only apply to flu season. The best medicine is prevention! Full-time prevention!

Right now, it seems like I can’t go anywhere without seeing some kind of advertisement for FLU SHOTS.

I thought I could escape from the brainwashing of the medical community and pharmaceutical companies by avoiding the TV.

Apparently not.

So, since “flu season” is beginning, am I supposed to freak out and get a flu shot? Pretty much…Fear always motivates people to do things.

Oh, they also forgot to tell you that you have a 50/50 chance of getting the flu even if you’ve been jabbed in the arm with the vaccine.

Enough of my ranting…

Allow Your Body To Fight Off Influenza On Its Own!

1. Refill With H2O: Did you know your body needs plenty of water to flush out toxins that compromise your immune system? While you sleep, your body builds up toxins in the digestive tract. To naturally flush out these toxins, you must start your day with a glass of water to rehydrate the body. This improves immune system function and allows your body to operate at its highest potential.
2. Sleep…zZz…: A great night’ s sleep is like a reset button for your whole body. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can make you more likely to become sick because of an overgrowth of bacteria in the body. When we are fighting a sickness, our body naturally promotes sleep. So why not boost your immune system in the first place by getting adequate rest?
3. Pro-Biotic It: “Probiotic” means “A microbe that protects its host and prevents disease.” When you supplement your diet with probiotics, you increase the flora of “good” bacteria in your gut. Did you know the digestive system is where most of your natural immunties “hang out?” If a person has a poor digestive system due to an inadequate, non-nutritious diet, they are very likely to have recurring sickness. Their body’s defense mechanism (immune system) to sickness can never get the proper armor up because that armor is essentially nutrients. Probiotics get that armor up. Learn more in the post Probiotics: Are They Good For Our Kids?
4. Get Some Sun: Did you know the best way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D is to get out into the sun for a few minutes? The skin produces Vitamin D when it is exposed to a certain amount of sunlight radiation. Vitamin D blood levels are at their highest in the summer but reach their lowest levels during the flu and cold season (winter). When you can’t get out, or if it’s the dead of winter, load up on fish which is high in vitamin D. There are supplements out there, but do your research before buying.
5. Exercise…even if it’s just a little: Do your best to get your heart rate up with aerobic exercise for 20-30 minutes a day. Go for a light walk with the dog and baby. Run up and down the stairs a few times. Have sex! Do something!  Stress leads to a weakened immune system. Exercise relieves stress. Therefore, exercise boosts the immune system.
6. Receive Regular Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractic care was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Regular Chiropractic Adjustments work to correct any nerve interference in the nervous system. Chiropractors know that nerve interference prevents the body from working optimally. To prevent this nerve interference, they adjust the spine into proper alignment and all systems are “GO” (including the immune system). The mainstream medical community really does not understand Chiropractic. But now you know. Chiropractic focuses on “prevention” and “healing from within.” Learn more Chiropractic and Pregnancy.
7. Eat, Eat, Eat!: Eat nutritiously, that is. Did you know that low blood sugar equals low immunity? One step to a healthy immune system is to eat breakfast! Eat like a healthy King at breakfast. Make a breakfast burrito with eggs and bell pepper. Make a banana smoothie with flaxseed or hemp oil. Have some hot whole-grain cereal with fruits and nuts. Or take some yogurt on-the-go. When you start out eating healthy at breakfast, you will tend to eat nutritiously the rest of the day.
8. Supplement: There are way too many supplements out there that market the illusion of “healthy.” Did you know that we chew most of our food? DUH! But think about it…Most supplements are made to be swallowed. If you swallow vitamins and minerals in pill form, you are not able to chew. Chewing is one of the most important parts of the digestive process! In fact, many vitamin companies use binders, fillers and hard chemical coatings that diminish absorption. Hospital orderlies often refer to these undigested pills and tablets that pass through a person’s intestinal track as “bedpan bullets.” This is not to say that every supplement will not be absorbed. How about a liquid vitamin on LuckyVitamin? Or a whole-food chewable supplement like Chews4Health? And you’ve got to check out Garden of Life.

There’s my preventive strategy to keeping sickness away.

Like I always say, “A body at EASE is without DISEASE!”

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

Natural Hemp Products

When people are asked what they believe “Hemp” is, they usually respond by saying, “Isn’t that marijuana?” Unfortunately, this reaction is typical of most Americans who have ever heard of hemp. Stigmas against hemp have grown from the negative view of marijuana; however, the hemp plant is quite different from the marijuana plant.

The plant has a multitude of potential uses such as:

• paper
• plastics
• fabrics
• fuel

Hemp could replace numerous industries, such as cotton in the U.S., which would cut costs and benefit the environment.

First of all, both hemp and marijuana come from the same plant- Cannabis Sativa L. However, hemp does not have the same intoxicating effect as marijuana. Hemp contains less than one percent of THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol)-the chemical compound responsible for the “high” marijuana creates. This “high” is why hemp’s cousin, the marijuana plant, is illegal in the United States. However, the level of THC in the marijuana plant is much higher than in hemp. One marijuana plant typically contains anywhere from 3-20% THC, whereas hemp is bred to contain very minimal amounts of THC.

John Cloud, a staff writer for Time magazine, says, “You could roll and smoke every leaf on a 15-ft. hemp plant and gain little more than a hacking cough.” His statement is truly poignant. Anyone who thinks they will be able to get high off of hemp is foolish. So, why is the cultivation of hemp illegal?

Up until the mid-20^th century, hemp cultivation was legal in the U.S. With the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, domestic cultivation of hemp was prohibited. Many farmers based their income on the crop, so the ban crushed their industry. However, in 1942, the government lifted the ban and encouraged farmers to cultivate hemp to help with the war effort.

Hemp was used for supplies such as rope. Unfortunately, the relaxation of the laws against hemp was terminated in 1957, and the ban continues today under the 1972 Controlled Substances Act.

Since the Act, there has been a growing movement pushing for the legalization of hemp, but not until now has the government given much attention to the topic. To date, 28 states have introduced hemp legislation and 15 have passed legislation; 8 (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia) have removed barriers to its production or research.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) considered hemp a “schedule-one” controlled substance, which are those substances that have a “high potential for abuse.” Until now, the DEA has ignored proponents for hemp by backing the agency’s argument about the trace amounts of THC in hemp.

Former head of the DEA, Asa Hutchinson, even pushed to outlaw any food products made from hemp due to possible presence of the substance THC. Hemp is grouped into the same category as Heroin. However, hemp does not have potential for abuse in comparison to drugs like heroin. Once again, the amounts of THC that can be found in some hemp crops are too low to be considered mind-altering.

Unfortunately, those opposed to hemp cultivation believe that the production of the crop will lead to the legalization of marijuana plant in the U.S. However, when the marijuana plant is placed in hemp fields, the hemp will undoubtedly degrade the quality of the marijuana crop because the plants will cross-pollinate.

If a farmer wishes to produce true marijuana, hiding the plant in a hemp field would be a foolish mistake. U.S. agencies use the argument that hiding marijuana in a hemp field will make it much easier to produce marijuana in the U.S.

In addition, the hemp plant and the marijuana plant are noticeably different in appearance. Marijuana plants tend to be short and bushy, while hemp plants can have stalks reaching 25 feet. Also, cultivated hemp grows a slender, nearly leafless lower stem, whereas marijuana strains are bred to have abundant leaves, glands and flowers where the intoxicating THC is stored. The differences in size and appearance can aid in distinguishing the two plants.

Britain, Canada, and other countries have been growing hemp for many years without major incident. Hemp is grown legally in about 30 countries, including many in the European Union, where it is mixed with lime to make plaster and as a “biocomposite” in the interior panels of Mercedes-Benzes. Only the U.S. government has such a strong feeling of disgrace against the plant.

Unbeknownst to much of the public, hemp has  innumerable benefits. For example, adding long-fiber hemp pulp to recycled paper greatly increases the number of times it can be recycled before the fibers are too short.

If hemp could be grown in the U.S., it could revolutionize the agricultural industry, thus boosting our nation’s economy. The plant is so versatile that practically anyone could find some use out of hemp goods.

Over 25,000 products can be manufactured from hemp, including hair conditioner, diapers, insulation, clothing, carpets, paper, and even perfume.

The hemp plant itself has many appealing characteristics. Because hemp grows quickly, more of it can be manufactured in a short amount of time in comparison to other fibers, such as wood. Any plant that grows at a high rate in a sustainable climate is favorable to farmers and industries.

Also, hemp is naturally resistant to most pests, so it doesn’t need pesticides or herbicides. This phenomenon can lead to less pollution in the environment. Farmers would not have to spend much-needed time and money on products to prevent insect infestation in their fields. With hemp, the U.S. could save money on production costs, thus reducing the price of products while benefiting the environment. Hemp’s advantages are countless.

Overall, hemp is simply an all-around resource. However, government policy is hindering its full benefits. Agencies for hemp have addressed all of the benefits of hemp. But, the DEA believes that marijuana could be grown in hemp fields if hemp could be grown on U.S. soil. Once again, that reasoning is based on premises that have not been well thought-out.

Hemp is grown differently and looks much different than marijuana, as previously stated. Hemp supporters must continue to send the facts about hemp to their legislators. Everyday consumers should buy hemp products to increase the already growing hemp market. The hemp plant has the potential to restructure the agricultural economy. This resource aids in the protection of the environment. There are so many benefits. The legalization of industrial hemp is just one step that could update the way our nation uses its natural resources.

Check out VoteHemp for more info on hemp.

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston