I am very happy to announce that Ayurvegan.net is in the works and should be up and running within the next few weeks!
Thank you for the support!



The Superiority of Hemp

Cannabis Sativa, 

 Latin for " useful hemp ", has been cultivated for over ten thousand years. The ancient Chinese called it "ma" and used it for making cordage, building materials, cloth and paper. Artifacts recovered from sites in China indicate hemp was cultivated since the remote beginnings of agriculture settlements and used for making textiles as well as for food and medicine and fibers for weapons. Chinese military were given the upper hand when they discovered that hemp fibers provided much stronger bowstrings than bamboo. As a result, hemp was the first agricultural war crop. Chinese royalty set aside large portions of land exclusively to cultivating hemp for this purpose. Called the "land of hemp and mulberry", China prized the mulberry because it was the food of the silkworm and hemp because it was what everyone used everyday. Food and oil from the seed, cordage from the fiber, stitching, textiles and clothing from the stalk, medicinal concoctions from the female flowers, and fertilizer when the leaves were returned to the earth to rebuild the soil.  Although the earliest traces of hemp fabric have disappeared, archeological research reveals that hemp cords were twisted together and imprinted on the sides of pottery dating back 12,000 years. 

Hemp was introduced to the western hemisphere by the Spaniards in 1545, who cultivated it first in Chile. The benefits and commercial applications for its byproduct made it high in demand and lucrative as a crop. So much so that in 1619 an Act was passed in Virginia making it law that some plantations had to grow a percentage of "Indian and English" hemp. Between the American Revolution and World War II hemp was one of our country's most important agricultural crops. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp on their plantations and both encouraged its widespread cultivation. Benjamin Franklin started one of America's first paper mills with hemp, which allowed the colonies to have a free colonial press without having to import paper from England. Thomas Jefferson drafted both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution on hemp paper. The sails for the USS Constitution, and nearly every other old sailing ship, were made of durable hemp fabric. Because hemp fiber is ten times stronger than cotton, it was traditionally made into twine, canvas and clothing.

― George Washington
High protein hemp seeds were used as food and in making hemp oil, which has been found to be richer in polyunsaturated fats than Canola or Soy. In India, hemp was believed to have been produced by the gods. The Bhagavad Gita called it "the healing herb", and throughout the subcontinent it was a valuable medicine used to treat malaria, improve digestion, cure dysentery, increase mental power and heighten sexual potency. The Bible referred to hemp several times in the Old Testament. In Ezekiel, hemp (Kaneh) is called a "plant of renown".

Hemp is a truly hearty plant with very few natural enemies. It can be grown easily without the use of Pesticides, Herbicides, and acts as natural weed suppressor due to the fast growth of the canopy, blocking out sunlight to other weeds that are trying to grow. Since it takes only 100 days to grow, several crops can be planted within the year or after other crops are harvested. It can be grown in any climate, in any agronomic system. It can also withstand some of the most brutal droughts.  The leftover stalks make excellent mulch. Due to it’s long roots, hemp replenishes soil with nutrients and nitrogen and helps control erosion of topsoil. Hemp can actually clean up toxins from the ground. This process is called phytoremediation. A good example of this is when hemp was used to help clean up the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster site to remove radioactive elements from the ground.

Hemp is used to make over 25,000 consumer products. From hemp apparel and accessories to house wares and hemp seed oil cosmetics, hemp is an Eco-shopper's dream. Some of the products made are: clothing, shoes, diapers, rope, canvas, cellophane, paints, fuels, chain lubricants, biodegradable plastics, paper, fiberboard, cement blocks, food, cosmetics, and soap. Hemp is the longest and strongest natural fiber known to man. The first Levi's jeans were made of hemp fibers which are longer, stronger, more lustrous, absorbent and mildew resistant than cotton. Even if 1917 technology were used today to process hemp into pulp, hemp could replace about 70 percent of all wood pulp produced by paper mills.

Coal and petrochemicals originally received their energy from the sun millions of years ago and stored energy as the plants decayed. When burned, they release pollutants into the atmosphere. Biomass fuel on the other hand, releases fewer pollutants and the fuel source spends the growing season removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Hemp is the world's champion photosynthesizer, converting solar energy into biomass more efficiently than almost any other plant. Hemp has at least four times the biomass/cellulose potential of corn. It can also compete economically with petroleum-based fuels without depleting the ozone layer. During World War II Henry Ford  developed a car that was not only made of hemp fibers, but could run on hemp-based fuel. Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the Diesel Engine, invented the Motor in 1894 to run on hemp seed oil.  Hemp can produce between 20% - 40% more oxygen than will be polluted. It is widely known that hemp can be used in so many ways as an Eco-friendly alternative to our current methods. Hemp hurds (the woody core of the stalks, and the bulk of that stalk, can be used for paper, animal bedding, oil absorbent, soil amendment, chemicals) also serve as a renewable source of raw material for the production of plastics, and are much cleaner and more environmentally attractive than petroleum. Given that so many of today’s products are produced from toxic materials such as petroleum, by switching to hemp based products the benefits for the environment and ourselves would be enormous.

Hemp is highly valued for its high content of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA). The plant contains the highest concentration of PUFA in the entire plant kingdom, the majority of which are the two Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), Alpha-Linolenic Acid (Omega-3), Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) and Oleic Acid (Omega- 9) .  A perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids correct imbalances in modern diets that lead to health problems. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer as well as lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol. A diet high in Omega-3 helps reduce heart disease and stroke by reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels(Fats accumulated in the body), enhancing the elasticity of blood vessels, and preventing the build-up of harmful fat deposits in the arteries. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)  has reported the majority of U.S. diets no longer contain the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids needed by our bodies for overall health and wellness.
  •  Omega-6 fatty acid is also a polyunsaturated fat essential for human health because it cannot be made in the body. Omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. They help stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and maintain the reproductive system. The body also constructs hormones from omega 6 fatty acids. In general, hormones derived from the two classes of essential fatty acids have opposite effects. Those from omega-6 fatty acids tend to increase inflammation (an important component of the immune response), blood clotting, and cell proliferation, while those from omega-3 fatty acids decrease those functions. Both families of hormones must be in balance to maintain optimum health.

  •   Unlike Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, Omega-9 fatty acids are produced by the body but are also beneficial when they are obtained in food. Research has shown that omega-9 fatty acids, commonly referred to as monounsaturated fatty acids, can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Because omega-9 fatty acids have been shown to increase HDL ("good") cholesterol and decrease LDL ("bad") cholesterol, they help eliminate plaque buildup in the arteries which may cause heart attack or stroke. While omega-9 is crucial to the body it plays a much smaller role than essential fatty acids omega-3 and 6. Primarily, omega-9 has a positive health affect on the lowering of cholesterol levels and promotes healthy inflammation responses within the body. Other major health benefits of omega-9 include the reduction of insulin resistance, improvement of immune function, and provides protection against certain types of cancer. 

Many people are oblivious to the great benefits of hemp. Some incorrectly assume that it is a drug because of its close association with Marijuana. The U.S. government has even made it illegal to grow hemp.  Although hemp and marijuana are both from the cannabis species, hemp contains virtually no THC at a level less than 1%. If you smoke hemp you will likely get a headache. You will not get high.

 A great Q&A with one of my absolute favorite companies NUTIVA, sums it up quite well:

Q: "What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?"    

A: "Marijuana and hemp both come from the same species of plant, Cannabis sativa L., but from  different varieties. There are different varieties of Cannabis, just as Chihuahuas and St. Bernards are different breeds of dogs, Canis familiari. Marijuana is the flowering tops and leaves of psychoactive varieties of Cannabis that are grown for their high THC content. Hemp, also referred to as industrial hemp, are low-THC varieties of Cannabis that are grown for their seeds and fiber. Hemp is grown legally in just about every industrialized country except the USA."

Nutiva, as well as other companies, are part of the “Test Pledge”. It is a pledge stating their products will NOT have amounts of THC within them that would cause someone to fail a drug test. Beside the benefits of all 3 Omega Fatty Acids, Hemp contains the second highest amount of protein next to soy (not as easily digestible as Hemp). It contains all 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids (The building blocks of Protein) that our bodies cannot produce. Just 30 grams (3 tbs) of Hemp seed contains 11 grams of Protein. Hemp seed protein closely resembles that which is found in the human blood making it easier to digest than soy protein, whey, and other protein sources including meats. The plant also contains sufficient sources of Fiber, Magnesium, Iron, and Zinc.  The seeds can be eaten whole, pressed into edible oil , or ground into flour for baking. 

 In all, Hemp has a vast amount of potential uses and health benefits. As a food source, I use Hemp daily. I make some amazing, very easy and fun hemp milks. Sprinkling the seeds over some fresh salads adds a nice nutty flavor and extra essential nutrients. 

~ Here's to your health ~

  • 1 Med-Large Mango Ripened (How to Cut a Mango)
  • 1 pinch (freshly ground) Cardamom
  • 1 cup Hemp milk (Recipe)
  • Fresh Mint (Garnish)
Combine all of the ingredients (Except the Mint) into your blender or Food Processor. Blend until smooth and pour into a glass.
Place chopped or whole Peppermint in drink for an extra party in your mouth.
Serves 1

Don't throw away those Mango peels just yet. Take the peels and place them into a medium pot and bring the water to a boil for just a few minutes and then let cool. 
Remove the peels and you have a nice refreshing face wash.
(Always be sure to wash fruits and veggies thoroughly before use & BUY ORGANIC)


I have a new guest blog in ALL THINGS HEALING please click on the following link for a very easy Recipe for Hemp milk and tips on very essential foods.

Thank you to Julie Cerrato for yet another opportunity.
Please visit Julie's site Below-


Ayurvegan Bhuta Bread

  I've really wanted to make my own bread lately and finally gave it a go. In the past I had manifested such delectable breads such as Banana Bread, Banana Pumpkin Bread and various assortments of Desert types but had yet to delve into Dinner breads. I chose to make this particular bread on a perfect auspicious night, the night the crescent moon dissolves into darkness. 
 On this divine night the mind can become fully absorbed into the heart, the veil thins and allows us to more easily enter into our truest essence of being, to honor the essential goodness of ourselves and the universe. In Hinduism it is referred to as Maha Shivratri  "The great night of Shiva" or "The night of Shiva"(Shiva- The Auspicious one). It is celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha(11th) or Phalguna (12th) month of the Hindu calendar, late January through March 21st respectfully. Personal belief is prominent on this night no matter the Spiritual path you admire. It is said that our prayers and mantras are magnified 10,000 times on this powerful night. 
 So, after a very instructive in-depth Hatha Yoga class at West Oakland Yoga studio, it was off to the Badger Den.
What better night to make some awesome magic happen...in the kitch...

 Below I have included substitute ingredients for various Dosha types.
 (For information on Doshas Scroll down to "Ayurveda, A Universal Approach").
All ingredients are Organic plant based materials.
Here is a simple and fun recipe with a good Ayurveda twist.


    -2 1/2 cups warm water
    -1 Packet Dry Active Yeast
    -1/2 Cup Raw Cane Sugar 
      (For all Dosha Types Stevia works well)
    -3 cups Whole wheat flour
      ( Rye or Millet Flour for Kapha Types)
    -1/4 cup Sesame oil
      (Almond, Canola, or Sunflower for Kapha)
   - 1/4 cup nondairy milk (I used homemade Hemp Milk-Recipe coming soon)
      (Almond Milk for Kapha- Recipe soon)
    -1 teaspoon salt
    -3 to 4 cups Wheat or Dosha Prevalent Flour (Use for later in the recipe)

* Extra Special Maple Syrup (optional for drizzle topping)
* I also used some dried coconut as topping for the first loaf
* Chant or sing songs like I did...ya never know who might hear ya and join in the slawesomeness.       
Note: For second Loaf, I added a teaspoon of Turmeric, 3 Cardamom Pods ( Seeds removed and ground adding to the mixture), 1 tsp Fennel seed, 1 Tbs Oats. All of these are balancing for the 3 doshas. Have fun with the recipe, add or take out whatever fits well for you.

1. Mix water and 1 tablespoon of the sugar together in a large bowl. Mix until sugar has dissolved. Mix in 1 packet of Dry Active Yeast and lightly mix (This allows the Yeast to liven up and work its magic- Did I mention this was MAGICAL bread??). Pour in the 3 cups flour and mix well. Cover the bowl with a towel and place in a dry place. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes or more, I let my mixture sit overnight.

2. Pour in the Oil, Milk and Salt. Mix together. Begin adding the additional  flour 1/2 cup at a time. Begin kneading the bread in the bowl when it becomes dense, and it is still a bit sticky.

3. Add another 1/2 to 1 cup flour as you knead the bread.  Knead it for 5 to 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Cut the dough into 2 equal parts. 

4. Grease 2 bread pans (Use Oils relevant to Dosha type), shape the bread pieces into loaves, and place them in prepared pans. Cover pans with a towel in a warm place and let the dough double in size. This will take 1 to 1 1/2 hours. VERY IMPORTANT...I told you...MAGIC!

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, Bake loaves 35-40 minutes.

Preparation time: 1 hour (Depending on time spent letting the dough rise), Cooking time: 20-40 minutes
Makes 2 Loaves 

*It is VERY important to allow the dough extra time to rise while set in the pans themselves. This allows for a larger rise while cooking. As you will see, I did not allow that for the first loaf. Though it turned out quite tasty and beautiful, the extra time would have allowed for more height. The density of this bread will vary upon ingredients.


The Natural Food for man

Excerpt from Sri Yukteswar’s book, “The Holy Science”, written in 1894. Chapter 3 - “The Procedure”, p. 63. It really sheds some light on the Vedic approach to Diet and Disease.

What is natural food for man?


First, to select our natural food, our observation should be directed to the formation of the organs that aid in digestion and nutrition, the teeth and digestive canal.; to the natural tendency of the organs of the sense which guide animals to their food; and to the nourishment of the young.

Observation of teeth.


By observation of the teeth we find that in carnivorous animals the incisors are little developed, but the canines are of striking length, smooth and pointed, to seize the prey. The molars are also pointed; these points, however, do not meet, but fit closely side by side to separate the muscle fibers.

In herbivorous the incisors are strikingly developed, the canines are stunted (though occasionally developed into weapons, as in elephants), the molars are broad-topped and furnished with enamel on the sides only.

In the frugivorous animals all the teeth are of nearly the same height; the canines are little projected, conical and blunt (obviously not intended to seize pray, but for exertion of strength. The molars are broad-topped and furnished at the top with enamel folds to prevent waste caused by their side motion, but not pointed for chewing flesh.

In omnivorous animals, such as bears, on the other hand, the incisors resemble those of the herbivorous, the canines are like those of the carnivorous, and the molars are both pointed and broad-topped to serve a twofold purpose.

Now if we observe the formation of the teeth in man we find that they do not resemble those of the carnivorous, neither do they resemble the herbivorous or the omnivorous. They do resemble, exactly, those of the frugivorous animals. The reasonable inference, therefore, is that man is a fruit-eating animal. (publisher’s note*: (Fruit comprises any part of plant life useful to man. The fruitarian diet referred by Sri Yukteswarji includes vegetables, nuts, and grains.)

Observation of the digestive canal.


By observation of the digestive canal we find that the bowels of carnivorous animals are 3 to 5 times the length of their body, measuring from the mouth to the anus; and their stomach is almost spherical. The bowels of the herbivorous are 20 to 28 times the length of their body and their stomach is more extended and of compound built. But the bowels of the frugivorous animals are 10 to 12 times the length of their body; their stomach is somewhat broader than that of carnivorous and has a continuation in the duodenum serving the purpose of a second stomach.

This is exactly the formation we find in human beings, though anatomy says that the human bowels are 3 to 5 times the length of man’s body – making a mistake by measuring the body from the crown to the sole, instead of from mouth to anus. Thus we can again draw the inference that ma is, in all probability, a frugivorous animal.

Observation of the organs of sense.

By observation of the natural tendency of the organs of the sense – the guideposts for determining what is nutritious – by which all animals are directed to their food, we find that when the carnivorous animals finds prey, he becomes so much delighted that his eyes begin to sparkle; he boldly seizes the prey and greedily laps the jetting blood.

On the contrary, the herbivorous animals refuses even his natural food, leaving it untouched, if it is sprinkled with a little blood. His senses of smell and sight lead him to select grasses and other herbs for his food, which he tastes with delight. Similarly with the frugivorous animals, we find that their senses always direct them to fruits of the trees and field.

In men of all races we find that their senses of smell, sound, and sight never lead them to slaughter animals; on the contrary they cannot even bear the sight of such killings. Slaughterhouses are always recommended to be removed far from the towns; men often pass strict ordinances forbidding the uncovered transportations of flesh meats. Can flesh then be considered the natural food for man, when both his eyes and his nose are so much against it, unless deceived by flavors of spices, salt and sugar?

On the other hand, how delightful do we find the fragrance of fruits, the very sight of which makes the mouth water! It may also be noticed that various grains and roots possess an agreeable odor and taste, thought faint, even when unprepared. Thus, again, we are led to infer from these observations that man was intended to be a frugivorous animal*.

(*”And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearind seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” – Genesis 1:29. Publisher’s note).

Cause of disease.


Hence, from these observations the only conclusion that can reasonably be drawn is that various grains, fruits, roots, and – for beverage – milk and pure water openly exposed to air and sun are decidedly the best natural food for man. These, being congenial to the system when taken according to the power of the digestive organs, well chewed and mixed with saliva, are always easily assimilated.

Other foods are unnatural to man and being uncongenial to the system are necessarily foreign to it; when they enter the stomach, they are not properly assimilated. Mixed with the blood, they accumulate in the excretory and other organs not properly adapted tot hem. Whey they cannot find their way out, they subside in tissues crevices by the law of gravitation; and, being fermented, produce disease, mental and physical, and ultimately lead to premature death.


About Sri Yukteswar - (1855 - 1936). Sri Yukteswar is the monastic name of Priyanath Karar, the guru of Paramahansa Yogananda. Sri Yukteshwar was an educator, astronomer, a Jyotisha (Vedic astrologer), a yogi, a writer and a believer in both the Bhagavad Gita and the Bible. He was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya of Varanasi and a member of the Giri branch of the swami order. Sri Yukteswar is considered a Jnanavatar, or "Incarnation of Wisdom".

About the Holy Science - A book written by Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri in 1894 under the title Kaivalya Darsanam. Sri Yukteswar states that he wrote The Holy Science at the request of Mahavatar Babaji. The book compares parallel passages from the Bible and Upanishads in order to show the unity of all religions.
Thanks to Paulo Tramujas for posting this!


The New Genetically Modified World Order

I've seen a lot coming out lately about ties between MONSANTO and people serving in our government who have been hired to see over our food and environmental safety.
Here is an excerpt from my report that was written by myself last year.

-Monsanto was the first major agrochemical and pharmaceutical company to pursue the life sciences concept. During the 1990s it shed many of its chemical concerns and embarked on a spending spree investing heavily in biotechnology research, and acquiring seed companies worldwide. They began genetically modifying and patenting seeds that were resistant to Roundup calling them “Roundup Ready”. They were somehow able to legally patent LIFE. Though Roundup was designed to kill anything green, these “Roundup Ready” seeds were designed to be sprayed by that very chemical to keep the plants from feeling the effects while wiping out any pests therein. These traits have been genetically engineered into commodity crops such as soybeans, corn, canola, and cotton. Wheat is among the next they are trying to attain. Monsanto is one of the top 10 U.S. chemical companies.  According to legal documents, Monsanto's GMO crops were first grown commercially in the US in 1995. Monsanto's legacy includes the production of herbicides 2,4,5-T, RoundUp, Agent Orange used primarily during the Vietnam War as a defoliant agent (later proven to be highly carcinogenic to any who came into contact with the solution), DDT (banned), PCBs, Dioxin, the artificial sweetener Aspartame (NutraSweet), and rBST/rBGH (Bovine Growth Hormone). These very chemicals have proven to be horrible carcinogens, yet Bovine Growth Hormones are still used on a wide scale in the dairy and meat industries across the globe.
  In May of 1994 a new Tomato was introduced to the market in the U.S.A titled “FlavrSavr tomato”.  This was a supposed ultra fresh hybrid with a long lifespan that could withstand cold temperatures and stay fresh on store shelves. What many people were unaware of at the time was that it was a GMO which received the approval to be sold to the general public without their knowledge. Calgene, the company responsible for genetically modifying and marketing the “FlavrSavr Tomato”, performed their own tests and concluded that this particular GMO was perfectly safe for human consumption, though many scientists with and without ties to the company concluded much differently. Tests concluded that procedures conducted on female rats consuming this GMO, developed severe stomach lesions. The director of the FDA's Office of Special Research Skills wrote that the tomatoes did not demonstrate a "reasonable certainty of no harm", which is their normal standard of safety. The Additives Evaluation Branch agreed that "unresolved questions still remain." The political appointees, however, did not require that the tomato be withdrawn. Luckily the product did not stand up to its claims as a super food among store shelves. People disliked the taste and the tomato had a weaker shelf life than promised, it was later discontinued.
  The first time anyone in the public had heard of a GMO was in 2001, when a woman by the name of Grace Booth became very ill and was rushed to the ER in Oakland, Ca. Grace had ingested some corn products while eating at a local taco restaurant. A short while later Grace would endure such severe chest pains that she had to be rushed to the hospital. It was later determined that she had suffered a severe allergic reaction. It was traced back to “StarLink”, a genetically engineered variety of corn designed by Sanofi-Aventis. Since StarLink contained ingredients known to cause allergic reactions and the like to some humans, the EPA approved it for animal feed NOT human consumption. Yet this very product found its way into over 300 restaurants and supermarkets across the country being ingested by everyone from infants to adults. The discovery of this infestation prompted stores across the US to wipe its stocks of corn products off the shelves. If it had not been for certain public interest organizations going in and testing these products on their own, doing what we pay our government to do, who knows how long this would have gone on or how big this scandal would have become.
  The Department of Agriculture is responsible for accessing the environmental impact of GMO crops and regulates GMO field testing. But a study of over 8,000 field test applications showed that the USDA did not require a single environmental assessment. The Environmental Protection agency regulates insecticides. Bt, a natural insecticide, is engineered into every cell of genetically engineered crops. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for food safety. Any substance put into food must be tested. Monsanto, DuPont, and many other GMO corporations used all of their financial and legal might to triumphantly pass their products as “Substantially Equivalent” to other foods while somehow acquiring patents of their products that now have this new molecular build up containing a substance that they injected using a virus and/or bacteria. High Fructose Corn Syrup and Soy Lecithin are among the multitudes of patented products. As it turns out most of the GMO’s are actually registered as Insecticides, yet are still contained in food products that billions consume everyday.
 It has been estimated that Monsanto owns over 11,000 patents. We only know of a select few. Monsanto owns vast species of modified crops across the globe and do not have to inform the public about it. This genetic engineering company along with others has been able to go into our nations seed banks and legally patent every seed that is not otherwise. Whoever controls the seeds controls the food. Until there is a federal law that requires everything to be labeled as containing GMO’s, we will continue to be this human experiment run by a massively profitable corporation that is knowingly destroying the very environment it is claiming to be saving. Monsanto backs their efforts as the proposed savior of the starving people of the world due to their GMO’s ability to “..yield larger and more effective crops.”. This has yet to be proven.
  There has been a lot of talk in the “Non-GMO” movement about the many occurrences in India. Although some news agencies attempted to report on this story, it has had a hard time making the light of day.
  The official report of the Govt. of the State of Andhra Pradesh, India, on the performance of genetically modified Bt (Bio-tech) cotton in the season 2002, "shows that in North Telengana, net income from Bt varieties was five times less than the yield from local non-Bt varieties. In Southern Telengana, the income from Monsanto's Bt crop was nearly 7 times less than what was obtained from the indigenous non-Bt cotton varieties, demonstrating the resounding failure of the Monsanto variety."
  This ties in with a series of other studies on the first year of commercial cultivation of Monsanto's GM cotton in India by government committees and non-governmental organizations which have also supported the claims of farmers that Bt cotton had inferior yields, did not perform well in the matter of pest-resistance, etc.. A six-member panel set up by the State of Gujarat government concluded Bt cotton was simply "unfit for cultivation and should be banned". Gene Campaign today released an official report for the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, on the performance of Bt cotton in the Kharif season 2002. There has been much controversy about the performance of Monsanto's Bt cotton varieties. Gene Campaign's field study (Kharif-2002) in AP and Maharashtra has clearly shown that the Monsanto Bt cotton has performed very poorly. Several reports in the media (Frontline, Outlook, Businessworld) have also reported the same. Yet Monsanto continues to repeat that their Bt cotton has done well. The Andhra Pradesh reports are very similar to those of the Gene Campaign. What’s worse is that Monsanto knew of this information before these initial reports were conducted, this according to the Gene Campaign as well. Although Monsanto convinced many of India's farmers that buying the more expensive GE cotton seeds would result in higher yields and better cotton, the reverse is actually true. Crop yields for GE cotton were 5 TIMES LESS than traditional Indian cotton and the income from GE cotton was 7 TIMES LESS than conventional cotton due to the cotton having lower quality short fibers. As a result of the high cost of these “Miracle seeds” that put many farmers into massive debt and having a weak crop, more than 100 Indian farmers committed suicide in 2002 alone and the numbers are still mounting. Monsanto has also developed a gene in plants that triggers its own death at a specific time keeping it from going to seed while at the same time selling these very seeds to farmers throughout India and South Africa at a much higher cost with the promise of larger profits and larger yields. This specific patented strain of sterile plant is known as the “Terminator Gene”. Though Monsanto has promised they no longer use this strain, it is still being discovered in many third world countries. These people will never get a refund, and they will never revive their dead loved ones. Who made the real profit here?
  Being that Monsanto has patented vast amounts of plant species and plants as we know have seeds that can travel great distances such as wind, birds etc., if a seed happens to land on a farm a few miles down the road or the next town over, Monsanto basically owns you. This company has taken a multitude of farms, family owned in particular, to court over this and won just about every single case. It is known that Monsanto owns a vast amount of pesticides in the global market. The problem with pesticides is throughout a very short time these pests and weeds develop immunity and only become stronger. As the pests become stronger, so does the chemicals being sprayed onto our foods. The GM crop itself is roundup ready, so when the crop is sprayed with these super strong pesticides, it does not die. When you place a GMO and your average Organic crop next to one another, chances are they will look exactly the same. The way Monsanto is able to tell the difference is because of their patented molecular structure that has been manufactured into the products themselves. Frankenfoods as many have called them. When these crops seeds have made their way onto someone else’s private land they do what is natural, they germinate and grow. This is one of the many genius moves these companies have made. The laws take no account of natural process when it comes to a patented item. So when these GMO’s take over even the slightest area of your own land, Monsanto can legally take you for all that you have. There are of course your settlement options which consist of conveniently handing your land over to Monsanto and if you’re lucky, they’ll let you work for them. This will only happen if you had signed the legal agreement to keep your mouth shut about it. Luckily many farmers have walked away and fought the big corporate types from these very actions. Some have won, most take the bait. Monsanto has been able to quickly take over mass amounts of farm land using this very method. As if it weren’t already bad enough for these family owned farms that already struggle do to the cheap prices of the massive GMO industry. Keeping true traditional methods of farming alive has been dwindling, and Monsanto and others are on the ready pushing it ever so faster.
  Why are family owned farms so important? As I mentioned earlier, it all comes down to buying local and Organic. You get to ask the questions directly to the people growing and handling your food, and most often visit the very place your food is coming from. These small family run businesses strive on providing the things we ask for, and more often than not, do so with honest hard work.
There are most likely GMO’s in a number organic foods. Not because they are “allowed,” (because they aren’t) but because contamination is widespread throughout the agricultural industry. The USDA’s National Organics Program (NOP) is designed so that GMO’s can enter USDA Certified Organics through “accidental contamination.” The program is “process based.” That means that as long as the approved process of growing the organic crop is followed, then there is no reason to believe that contamination exists and therefore, no reason to conduct a test for GMO’s. This is another reason why the GMO industries must be stopped. Buy local, know your suppliers, ask these questions.
It is estimated that over 12,000 years ago, people around the globe started saving and planting seeds. Through this hard work and natural growing processes, crops flourished and with it, civilizations grew as well. In
China rice was available in thousands of varieties, over 5000 potato species existed around the globe, and in the U.S.A. over 7,000 varieties of apples were grown throughout the Nineteenth Century. In the 20th Century, farming would undergo a massive change. With the use of nitrogen bombs and nerve gas in WWII, nitrogen based fertilizers and pesticides were born. This along with some other new technologies promised higher yields with more availability at a much lower price. The original “Green Revolution”, funded by the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations and the governments of many developing countries, began with the idea of bringing together a unified culture of foods across the globe in a way never seen before. As a few years passed there was a large increase of growth and production. Throughout the years these large yields were grown using only one crop, otherwise known as a Monoculture. This proved to be very dangerous. When you grow only one crop throughout a vast area, insects and disease flourish greatly. A well known example is the great potato famine in Ireland. Approximately 1,000 years earlier people in Ireland planted a very minimal variety of potatoes. When these tubers became diseased, over 1 million people died. Meanwhile, roughly 6,000 miles away in Peru, the same disease struck their potato crops. The Peruvian people survived this by initially planting a large selection of potato species throughout different areas of their lands.
  With the massive plots of monocultures growing throughout the country, only 4 varieties of potatoes are now widely grown. Almost 97% of the vegetables grown at the beginning of the 20th century have gone extinct. With the monocultures proving to be of great distress due to pests and disease, the use of pesticides and the like were increased massively. The pests and disease of course grew more and more resistant so the farmers were forced to spray even more, thus polluting the air and waterways. There is just something about seeing a man wearing a gas mask, spraying our food with pesticides and other chemicals that really makes you scratch your head in utter disbelief. Eventually with the introduction of RoundUp to the world markets, and the gene manipulation process in underway, the Gene Revolution had begun. We have found ourselves on this submerging turnstile ever since. I would absolutely love to believe that this system of gene manipulation to save our worlds hunger problems were true. The FACTS show, it simply is not. When you have hugely successful corporations who have patents on gene structures that have been manipulated into a living food, this spells disaster for the entire world.
I’ve spent countless hours trying to find some kind of article stating that GM crops have done well in one form or another, but even the slightest bit of positive feed back was from the very GM companies themselves.
   Mexico has taken great pride throughout its history for their corn also known as “Maiz”. During the corn blight of 1970, the US was saved thanks to Mexico and its wild strain of corn that could resist the very disease that nearly wiped out our own corn supply. Throughout the years though these same farmers had started to buy Government issued American Yellow corn because it was far cheaper to buy than to grow. These farmers did what most would, they saved the seed and started growing this strain along with their own. However, after years of doing so, the GM species of corn have since made their way into these ancient crops. American Corn is Subsidized (Paid for) by the American tax payers, which is why it is so much cheaper for suppliers in Mexico to buy. Though the American based corn may be cheaper and thus more profitable for suppliers in Mexico, many farmers personally choose their own corn due to better taste and as an over all common sense (there’s that word again) factors over all. Mexico has a beautiful array of corn species and the threat of this GM species entering their growing fields had been discovered in October of 2000 thanks to the in-depth research of U.C. Berkeley’s own Dr. Ignacio Chapela and his team. Mexico has kept in effect a moratorium on Monsanto's GM corn since 2005, citing a lack of safety studies and evidence showing the "Frankencorn" is safe and that it will not cross-contaminate non-GM crops. The Mexican government recently denied Monsanto's request to expand a pilot program for its crops in Northern Mexico as well.
  Companies like Monsanto have very deep ties to the very people we send our hard earned money to, the very people who are supposed to have our best interests in mind. I’m speaking of our politicians on every level. In 1977 a very skilled man with ties to Washington D.C. named Donald Rumsfeld was appointed as CEO of G.D. Searle & Company, the very corporation that developed Aspartame (NutraSweet). Searle was more than a decade into the production of Aspartame but was having trouble getting it approved by the FDA. It was concluded after many tests of various sources, that Aspartame caused over 92 very harmful side effects. These effects included- migraines, weight gain, numbness, heart palpitations, burning urination, insomnia, loss of hearing, depression, irreversible brain damage, chronic fatigue syndrome, lymphoma, seizures, birth defects, and brain tumors just to name a slight few.
  Searle wanted Rumsfeld to use his ties in DC to do what was best for the company and have Aspartame approved. After Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the new President of the
USA, Rumsfeld became a part of the president’s transition team. Dr. Arthur Hull-Hayes, a friend of Rumsfeld, was quickly appointed as the new Commissioner of the FDA. Searle wasted no time in their new attempt of getting Aspartame approved. Less than six months after becoming the new Commissioner, Hayes approved the product himself with his own vote among a panel of reorganized scientists that would now allow Aspartame’s use in dry products as well as on its own as a table top sweetener. Less than 2 years later it would also be approved for use in carbonated beverages, like soda. Within the same year that Hayes was given his position with the FDA, he resigned. He was quickly given a new position at Burson Marsteller, the chief public relations firm to Monsanto and Searle. Two years later Monsanto bought Searle and Co. for $2.7 billion. Rumsfeld soon became the CEO of Searle and then as President of the corporation from 1977-1985. We can all assume the story of Donald Rumsfeld (“Rummy”) from there.
  Unfortunately the ties between Bio-Tech companies and our government does not stop there-

- In 2009 President Obama appointed former governor of Iowa Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture after backing out of his bid for president in 2008. Vilsack has repeatedly given mass support to industrial farms and genetically modified crops. He introduced a bill in 2005 that would block local communities from controlling where GMO crops could be grown. During his term in
Iowa, Tom Vilsack was named “Governor of the year” by the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
- October 5th 2009, Dr. Roger N. Beachy, the founding President of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, MO, would be appointed the first Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) by President Barack Obama. Dr. Beachy is an expert in plant virology and biotechnology of plants. He established principles for the genetic engineering of plants that make them resistant to viral diseases. His research at
Washington University in St. Louis, in collaboration with Monsanto Company, led to the development of the world’s first genetically modified food crop - a variety of tomato that was genetically engineered to resist viruses and disease.
- In July of 2009 President Obama appointed yet another person with ties to Monsanto to a prestigious government position. Michael Taylor was a lawyer who began his revolving door adventures as counsel to the FDA. He then moved to King & Spalding, a private-sector law firm representing Monsanto. In 1991 under President George Bush Sr.’s administration, he returned to the FDA as Deputy Commissioner for Policy where he was part of the team that issued the agency's decidedly industry-friendly policy on food biotechnology and approved the use of Monsanto's genetically engineered growth hormone in dairy cows. The FDA guidelines exempted milk producers from labeling dairy products from cows that had been treated with rBGH. His questionable role in these decisions led to an investigation by the federal General Accounting Office, which eventually exonerated him of all conflict-of-interest charges. In 1994, Mr. Taylor moved to the USDA to become administrator of its Food Safety and Inspection Service. After another venture in the private legal practice with King & Spalding, Mr. Taylor again joined Monsanto as Vice President for Public Policy in 1998, working on what the company calls "long range planning.", and has since been sworn in as our nations Food Safety Czar.

- Justice Clarence Thomas, nominated by President George H.W. Bush in 1991, is a former lawyer for Monsanto’s regulatory affairs. Justice Thomas has been more notorious as of late for his conflict of interest allegations from the general public and some politicians for other such “unethical” behaviors.

Tommy Thompson, U.S. Secretary of Health, received $50,000 in donations from Monsanto during his winning campaign for Wisconsin's governor.

- Michael Kantor was the former secretary of commerce and one of President Bill Clinton's closest advisers. Kantor joined two other
Washington insiders on the Monsanto board--William Ruckleshaus, former director of the EPA and Gwendolyn King, former head of the Social Security Administration. It was Kantor who opened the doors to the White House and pushed the administration to pressure the EU over Monsanto's genetically engineered grain. Kantor's new law firm- Mayer, Brown & Platt, watches out for Monsanto’s interests in matters of international trade, food safety and product labeling.

- Lidia S. Watrud has a very impressive background with Monsanto. According to www.epa.gov/wed/pages/staff/watrud.htm, Watrud graduated from
City College of New York in 1963 with a Bachelor’s in Biology. She went on to receive her Master’s and Ph.D in Genetics from Michigan State University from 1963-65. Dr. Watrud went on to work for Monsanto from 1977-82 as Senior Research Specialist and Group Leader for the Cell Biology Group and Crop Protection Dept. Then from 1982-84 as Senior Research Group Leader of the Crop Protection Dept, 1984-86 Manager of Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 1986-90 as Manager of the Commercial Development of New Technologies in the Plant Sciences Dept.
Member, US EPA Workgroups for Proposed/Final Rules on Microbial Pesticides and Pesticidal Plants, 1993-1994
Reviewer, USDA Competitive Grants Program for Risk Assessment of Biotechnology Products, 1993-94
Member, Research Subcommittee on Biotechnology for the 21st Century, National Science &  Technology Council, 1994-95                                  
•  Member, Institutional Bio-safety Committee, Oregon State University, 1995
Reviewer, NSF research proposals, 1987-90, 1997
- Ann Veneman former USDA Secretary, is also a former director of Calgene (since bought over by Monsanto and now part of Pharmacia), the biotech company that created the world’s first genetically altered food, the “Flavr Savr” tomato. Before becoming USDA secretary, Veneman was an attorney and was appointed by California Governor Pete Wilson as the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). In January of 2001 Ms. Veneman was sworn in as Secretary of Agriculture. Before leaving her post on January of 2005, Ms. Veneman would hire a spokeswoman who was the former public relations director of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, a Chief of Staff who used to be the Associations head lobbyist, a former President of the National Pork Producers Council, and former executives of the meatpacking industry among others. She went on to serve as the Executive Director of The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) from 2005 to 2010 where she had articulated Unicef’s position on how exclusive breastfeeding for toddlers is critical to combat hunger and promote child survival. Since joining the Nestlé board of directors (the world’s biggest manufacturer of artificial baby formula), the former Unicef Director has undergone a change of heart.

- Toby Moffett was a lobbyist on Capitol Hill for more than a decade starting in 1975 before becoming a congressman for the state of
Connecticut. He then went on to be a political strategist for Monsanto.
Anthony J. (Toby) Moffett is now Chairman of the Moffett Group where he is the principal liaison between clients, Congress, the Obama Administration, and other federal agencies as well as relevant private and nonprofit organizations. He is a constant presence on Capitol Hill, communicating with members of Congress on a daily basis.

- Michael A. Friedman, M.D, former acting commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration & Department of Health and Human Services. He went on to serve as Senior VP of clinical affairs at G. D. Searle & Co., a pharmaceutical division of Monsanto Corporation. According to Forbes.com & Celgene.com, In February of 2011 Dr. Friedman was named to the Celgene (Division of Monsanto) Board of Directors. Dr. Friedman currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of City of Hope, a leading cancer research, treatment and education institution, as well as director of the organization’s
Comprehensive Cancer Center. He holds the Irell & Manella Cancer Center Director’s Distinguished Chair. Before leading City of Hope, Dr. Friedman was senior vice president of research and development, medical and public policy for Pharmacia Corporation and Chief Medical Officer for biomedical preparedness at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Since 2004, Dr. Friedman has served on the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, created by California State Proposition 71 to govern the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and oversee implementation of California’s stem cell research effort. Dr. Friedman has received numerous commendations, including the Surgeon General’s Medallion in 1999.

- William D. Ruckelshaus served as Acting Director of the FBI between April 1973 and July 1973. After serving in a number of state offices, Mr. Ruckelshaus was appointed to the Department of Justice and, in 1970, became the first administrator of the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He served in the EPA until his appointment as Acting Director. After Director Kelley was then confirmed to the FBI Director position, Mr. Ruckelshaus returned to private practice. In 1983, after much scrutiny towards the EPA, he
returned to Washington as the fifth administrator of the EPA. The White House acceded to Ruckhelshaus's request to allow him maximum autonomy in the choice of new appointees and served there until 1985. He also oversaw removal of the pesticide Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) from U.S. agricultural use, reaffirmed EPA commitment to a federal-state partnership to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay, and helped EPA institute tighter controls on hazardous waste management. Ruckelshaus has served as Chairman of the Board of the World Resources Institute, special envoy to the Pacific Salmon Treaty between the U.S. and Canada , Chairman of Enterprise for the Environment, and on the President's Council for Sustainable Development. He has served on the boards of directors of Cummins Engine Co., MONSANTO CO., Nordstrom, Inc., Weyerhaeuser Co., Inc., Gargoyles, Inc., Coinstar, Inc., and Solutia, Inc. … Salmon Treaty...Served on the Board of directors for Monsanto...GM Salmon controversy…

- John Ashcroft, former Attorney General under President George W. Bush, received the largest campaign contribution of any candidate during his failed run in the 2000 elections.

“Agricultural Biotechnology will find a supporter occupying the White House next year regardless of which candidate wins the election in November.”
Monsanto In-house Newsletter 10/6/2000

 - Phil Angell, Monsanto's director of corporate communications. "Playing God in the Garden" New York             Times Magazine,
October 25, 1998


 - Robert Fraley, co-president of Monsanto's agricultural sector 1996, in the Farm Journal. Quoted in: Flint J. (1998) Agricultural industry giants moving towards genetic monopolism. Telepolis, Heise.

  Every other country in the world requires labeling of any product containing GMO’s, yet the USA does not.
Without a labeling system it would be hard to trace any other viruses or diseases that may have occurred due to these genetically manipulated products entering our foods systems. The allergic reactions some have in accordance with GMO’s has been proven many times, yet this new crop has been legally able to move forward without the public’s knowledge. Many people have given up on Organics all together stating that these GMO’s are easily making their way onto Certified Organic fields and going unnoticed for the most part. Though this is true in many cases, it is yet another reason that this GMO industry must be stopped. The ratio of Organic crops still out weighs the Non Organic and GM crops. Once again, talk to the very people who grow your foods and ask the right questions, and research the researchers. Imagine a multi billion dollar corporation who has over 11,000 patents on living organisms i.e. Corn, Soy, Apples, Cotton, fish, Cows, Alfalfa, possibly wheat, etc. Allow your mind to figure out the rest.
  Across the globe there are many organizations that have formed in protest of Monsanto among other GM companies. One in particular is the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) who has since started the Millions Against Monsanto campaign. These rallies and other meetings have proved quite successful and continue to be a threat against the many Bio-tech corporations who threaten the health of our food supplies and our people. Please visit http://organicconsumers.org for an amazing amount of information about everything Organic and the like, as well as how you can help.


Donation based services for those in need

I am now offering donation based Ayurveda wellness counseling services to the entire San Francisco Bay Area as well as the surrounding Philadelphia area.
Ayurveda is the most comprehensive and ancient medical science in the world, focusing on the person as a whole. 
What we put in and on our bodies matters greatly to our health, mind and body connection is key. By focusing on each person as an individual whole, we concentrate on the root cause of your health concerns and work diligently to help you live a happy and healthy life.
Information on Ayurveda can be found in my previous blogs or you can always reach me at Ayurvegan@gmail.com

~Love and Health


My very first guest blog!

My first Worldwide guest blog article. PLEASE READ THIS! This means SO much to me!
Thank you Julie Cerrato of Veda Health (Newtown, Pa - Menlo Park, Ca)
  for this very meaningful opportunity!!!
This means so much!
~Love to all!!!

Ayurveda- A universal approach


 A system of creating and maintaining positive health focusing on preventing the imbalances that leads to DIS-EASE. Ayurveda does not focus on just the disease itself or set its limits to the physical or psychological, rather it focuses primarily on the person as an individual, as a whole-Body, Mind, Spirit. This ancient well constructed system has lasted for over 5,000 years, offering natural ways of treating a person and promoting health with an emphasis on prevention and empowering an individual to take responsibility for their own well being.

 Sanskrit for "The Science, or Wisdom- of Life", Ayurveda has become more popularly available here in the
United States and around the world thanks to the many translations from Sanskrit to English, among many other languages throughout the world. It has gained much attention the past few decades here in the U.S.A. due to its unique ability to work with the human universe within itself.

 The universe we live in consists of 5 main elements- Ether (space), Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. As such, the bodies we inhabit are made of these 5 elements (Panchamahabhutas). According to the Vedas (Ancient Indian Books of knowledge presenting the spiritual science of awareness) the body is made of 3 Doshas or Constitutions. These 3 elements are known as VATA, PITTA, and KAPHA. Together they form what is known as the Tridoshas (Three biological humours). These 3 govern all of the biological, psychological, and even physiopathological functions of the mind, body, and consciousness. They are the basic protective barriers for the body in its normal condition in every cell and every organ. These 3 must be kept in balance to prevent the disease process. These three Dosha’s are responsible for the arising of natural urges and individual preferences in food such as flavors and the temperature etc. They carry out the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the bodily tissues as well as the waste products of the body itself. They also govern psychological actions such as fear, anger, greed, understanding, compassion, and love. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha therefore hold the foundation of the mental condition of mankind.

The basic constitution (Prakriti) of each individual is determined at the time of conception. At this moment the Prakriti of the individual is decided by the transformations and combinations- conditions of bodily air, fire, and water that manifest in the bodies of the parents. Whatever doshas may have been more prominent during the time of conception will exist more-so in the build up of the child. The parents’ heredity, diet, and activity of the mother during pregnancy, as well as conditions in the womb during pregnancy and in the birth canal during delivery also influence the health and happiness of the child, but these are secondary to the constitution.

 - VATA is the principle of movement, It is made of Ether (Space) and Air. In nature Vata is like the wind, as it is constantly moving and scattering things around. It is called the "King of the Doshas" mainly because it is the moving force behind everything, including Pitta and Kapha. Its attributes are dry, cold, light, subtle, mobile, rough, hard, changeable, and clear.
  Vata in its natural state maintains energy of will, inhalation, exhalation, movement, the discharge of impulses, equilibrium of the tissues, and sharpness of the senses. When aggravated, it causes dryness, dark discolorations, desire for warmth, tremors, abdominal distention, constipation, loss of strength, loss of sensory acuity, insomnia, jumbled speech, and fatigue.
  Vata predominant people are generally slim or slender and either short or tall with prominent bones. They are generally characterized as having an oval face, small eyes, dry skin, thin hair, small joints that may crack often, and long fingers. Their hands and feet are usually cold. The metabolism and sleep pattern of a Vata predominant person is always changing. Their sleep may be light, disturbed, or short in duration. They tend to talk and walk a lot as well as complain regularly. They adjust easily to change but may become indecisive or impatient. Vata types perform lots of hand gestures while talking. They are very intuitive, imaginative, and artistic. They are very good at writing poems, creating art, and dancing…always on the go and love to travel.
 The Vata mind always tends to be busy…like a busy bee, constantly buzzing around moving in circles. They are born worriers, worrying about anything and everything. They often feel anxious and nervous, many times their mind is in the future and not enjoying the present moment. Vata types usually need to develop endurance, confidence, and boldness. Fear and anxiety most afflicts them.

  -PITTA is of the Fire/Water element. It is the heat or transformative energy in the body. Pitta in its normal state is responsible for digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, heat, visual perception, hunger, thirst, skin color, luster of the eyes, intelligence, understanding, determination, courage, and softness of the body. Attributes of Pitta are oily, sharp, hot, light, spreading, liquid, fleshy smell.
  A Pitta predominant person is usually of medium height with moderate weight, frame, and muscle development. Their chests are not as flat as those of Vata predominance. They show a moderate number of veins and muscle tendons, many freckles and moles which will vary in color. The bones of a Pitta predominant person will not be as obvious as those of a Vata type. A Pitta complexion may be yellowish, copper like, reddish, or fair. Their skin is usually soft, warm and less wrinkly compared to a Vata type. The skin tends to be a good color and may become flushed. The hair can be thin, silky brownish or red with a tendency of early graying and/or balding. The eyes are usually of a medium prominence.
  Pitta types posses a generally strong metabolism, strong appetite, and good digestion. For the most part they will consume large portions of food and liquid, and enjoy cold fluids. Their sleep is moderate but uninterrupted. Pittas are known to perspire a lot and quite easily. The body temperature can be high and the extremities are usually very warm. Heat and high exposure to sunlight will aggravate Pitta.
  Psychologically, Pitta types have strong comprehension, are very intelligent and sharp, and tend to be good public speakers. Emotionally they exhibit tendencies of anger, jealousy, and sometimes hatred when out of balance. They are often anxious and tend to be leaders.

  -Kapha is made of the Water and Earth element. In nature, Kapha is like water. As two-thirds of the earth is comprised of water, so too is the physical human body. The energy of Kapha helps us to feel calm and content, notice the tastes in foods, nourishes all of the organs and cells in our body, builds the tissues, lubricates our joints and air passages, and protects all of the physical systems in the body. The qualities of Kapha are moist, cold, heavy, static, sticky, soft, cloudy, slow, and smooth.
  Kapha dominant individuals usually have a well developed, full bodied, physical structure. However, they tend to carry excess weight. Their chests are expanded and broad, the veins and tendons are not very obvious due to the thickness of the skin. The muscle development is good and the bones do not appear prominent. The complexion is most often fair, white, or pale. The skin tends to be more soft, oily, moist, and cold. Kapha types exhibit thick, dark, soft, and wavy hair. The eyes are often largely rounded and dense. Physiologically they tend to have a low but regular appetite. The digestion functions slowly and they usually take less food than other types. Movement is most often sluggish, the perspiration is moderate, and the sleep is sound, prolonged or excessive. Kaphas tend to have good stamina and are often healthy and content. These types are loving, nurturing, caring, peacemaking, tolerant, and forgiving. The basic slogan for a Kapha type would be “Don’t worry, be happy”. They are good listeners and speak very little, at times they seem very shy. Their comprehension can be slow but definite once they understand something, that knowledge is retained. When imbalanced they tend to be prone to traits of greed, attachment, envy and possessiveness.

 In this, it is our life long goal to maintain a constant balance of the doshas to live healthy. Eating proper foods to bring about balanced Agni (digestive fire) and assimilation to nourish the body and mind, eliminating Malas (waste products) from the body in a healthy fashion, treating our body and mind as a whole individual unit, is all very essential to leading a very positive Ayurvedic lifestyle. The ways of Ayurveda are vast and deep. This exciting way of life has helped, inspired, and influenced countless beings throughout time and continues to do so this very day. As our Western ways of medicine are proving more synthesized and monetized, it is the WHOLE person and PURE nutritive approach to life that is coming full circle emphasizing PREVENTION rather than just focusing on the disease itself.

~Thomas Edison