[SusDet Announce] [VegMichigan] July 2007 Newsletter

Wed Jul 18 06:36:54 EDT 2007

Welcome to VegMichigan's e-newsletter for July 2007. Here's
what you'll find in this edition:

1) Potluck in the Park -- Saturday, July 21 at Noon
2) VegMichigan at the Ann Arbor Art Fair
3) VegMichigan's Fourth Annual Retreat
4) Potluck and "Supercharge Me" Video Showing July 22
5) VegMichigan Library Display in Troy
6) Summerfest Carpool
7) August Dinner Club at Om Cafe

And.. News For Life

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Not yet a member of VegMichigan? See the benefits of
membership and join at:
http://VegMichigan.org/membership/

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

1) Potluck in the Park

This summer's final Potluck in the Park will be a
multi-faceted event. Not only will you have a chance to
enjoy good company and good vegan food, you'll also get to
hear and talk with a wide variety of animal rights,
environmental and vegetarian activists.  We've asked the
following people and a few others to speak briefly,
following the meal:

- Tom Progar of Students for Animal Rights at EMU and
coordinator of the effort to erect a humane eating
billboard
- Italia Millan and Don Hughes, VegMichigan members, who
are the contacts for anyone who would like to participate
in KFC demos or vegan outreach
- Martha Smith, organizer of a Great American Meatout event
at Wayne State University
- Wendy Jones, chairperson of VegMichigan’s Great American
Meatout
- Harry Pianko, VegMichigan president, will preview
upcoming events, including the annual Vegan Retreat in
August

There will also be volleyball and an origami demo and
instruction.  Come early, stay late. Feel free to bring a
friend--a meat-eating one, if possible!

Admission: Bring a vegan dish sized for 6 to 8 servings (no
eggs, milk, butter, cheese, honey or any kind of meat). 
First-time visitors may pay $7.50 in lieu of bringing a
dish, if they email chuck at vegmichigan.org by July 20 to
indicate that they intend to pay at the event. Paper
plates, plasticware and drinking water will be provided.
Note: If possible, please bring your own plates and
utensils, in order to have an environmentally friendly
feast. Also, if you have a lightweight folding chair, bring
it with you.

Location: Starr Jaycee Park in Royal Oak on the south side
of W. 13 Mile Rd., one long block east of Crooks Rd. at the
large shelter by the parking lot (next to the children's
playground equipment). Look for the VegMichigan sign along
the road. Extra parking: park along Marais, north at the
traffic light or go one block up Marais and park in the
Royal Oak Senior Center parking lot. 

For further information: Call 1-877-778-3464 or email
chuck at vegmichigan.org

2) VegMichigan at the Ann Arbor Art Fair

Once again you will find VegMichigan at the Ann Arbor Art
Fair. This events runs from July 18-21. Having a table
displayed at the Art Fair provides exposure for VegMichigan
and gets our message to hundreds of people! If you can help
for a few hours in Ann Arbor, contact Paul:
paul at vegmichigan.org

Volunteers are especially needed for Thursday, July 19!

3) VegMichigan's Fourth Annual Retreat

VegMichigan invites you to a weekend of fun, education and
relaxation! Join us for any part of August 24, 25 and 26
(Friday evening through Sunday morning) for a wonderful
time in Columbiaville (10 miles NW of Lapeer) at the
Tibbits Nature Sanctuary and Land Stewardship Center. There
will be food, games, classes, hikes, canoeing, camping, a
bonfire and more. Delicious vegan meals will be prepared
for attendees.

For details and to register go to
http://vegmichigan.org/activities/retreat/

Please note that space is limited, so preference will be
given to VegMichigan members. To ensure yourself a place,
be sure your membership is up to date (you'll find the
expiration date on your membership card). If you are unsure
of your membership status, contact Chuck: 
chuck at vegmichigan.org

4) Potluck and "Supercharge Me" Video Showing July 22

You are invited to a showing of Jenna Norwood’s documentary
video, “Supercharge Me, 30 Days Raw” at our next VegMichigan
Vegan Potluck on Sunday, July 22 at Unity of Livonia, 28660
Five Mile Rd. between Middlebelt and Inkster in Livonia.

The potluck begins at 1 pm. The 74-minute video will start
at approximately 2:15 pm.

Note: This vegan potluck is not a raw-food-only potluck,
though raw foods are welcome.

5) For the month of July, our library display will be seen
at:

Troy Public Library
510 W Big Beaver Rd
Troy, MI 48084
(248) 524-3538

Be sure to check out this eye-catching display reaching the
public in a different library each month.

6) Summerfest Carpool

One of our members, Diane Pettinga, has offered to organize
a carpool to this year's Vegetarian Summerfest in
Pennsylvania. If you plan to attend and would like to save
on fuel use (and enjoy good company on the trip), contact
Diane through email: carpool2007 at vegmichigan.org

For Summerfest dates and details, visit
http://VegMichigan.org

7) August Dinner Club at Om Cafe

Saturday, August 11, 7 pm. VegMichigan Dinner at the Om
Cafe, 23136 Woodward Ave in Ferndale. We will dine at one
of the area's oldest and best veg-friendly restaurants, and
order off their menu (specialties include nori rolls, fresh
salads and soups, macrobiotic plate, stir frys).

Due to the small size of the restaurant, seating will be
limited to the first 15 people to reply. To attend, you
MUST give an RSVP by August 9th. Leave a message at
1-877-778-3464 or email karen at vegmichigan.org

July 2007
News For Life

This newsletter is designed to keep you aware of the many
effects our food choices have on our lives; from personal
health to a sustainable planet and respecting other
species.

General News Index:
Spock's advice on children's diet stands up
Many reasons to be a vegetarian
Choosing a vegetarian diet changed their health
HOW TO GO FROM PART-TIME TO FULL-TIME VEGETARIAN
The Three Keys to Change
Interview: Outside the Ring With Boxer Maureen Shea
Athlete: Forget meat; go for the fruit and veggies
Vegetarian and vegan nutrition
Vegetarian athletes need diet plan
101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian
Know your greens, from arugula to watercress
Raw Food is More Nutritious
Vegetarian Summerfest

Health News Index:
Healthful foods boost cancer survival rates
Flavonoids linked to improved mental health
Top 5 Ways to Spice Up Your Health
A vegan diet is safe, healthy for infants
Edible hemp good source of omega-3 
Plant-Based Diets Play Critical Role in Breast Cancer
Survival 
Vitamin D: Will it fight disease where others have failed?
New reason to cut salt 
Good Health Straight to Your Inbox
The Nutrition Rainbow Poster
Eating Fish Does Not Protect the Heart 
Government Fails Consumers, Falls Short on Seafood
Inspection

Environmental News Index:
Fuelling extinction
The Environmental Impact of a Meat-Based Diet
Diet vows to thin carbon footprint
Domestic farmed fish go under the microscope
Large dairy stripped of organic certification

Animal Sentience Index:
Animals value their lives' just as we do
Do fish have feelings too?
All Cooped Up in a Manhattan Co-op

Take Action Index:
Changing Lives One Leaflet at a Time
Whales Revenge

*********************************************************

General News:

“If you don’t stay informed, then who will tell the others
the truth?” 
Anonymous

Spock's advice on children's diet stands up

... Despite the science that affirms plant-based diets as
optimal for humans and other primates, a vegetarian eating
style is outside mainstream American culture and at odds
with the economic and political forces that sustain it. In
what he knew would be the last edition of his classic,
Spock was determined to make explicit the advice he
believed passionately... Spock died in 1998 at the age of
94 just before his book came out. In the end, the chapter
describing how a vegetarian diet improved Spock's health
was scrapped, but his advice for children remained intact
and is still valid:

* Feed children vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans
regularly and with a positive attitude. Parents should
model the same eating style.
* Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables -- two to three
servings each day -- because they are loaded with
absorbable calcium, iron and vitamins. Broccoli, kale,
collards, bok choy and chard are examples.
* Vegetables should make up 25 percent to 30 percent of the
diet. Buy fresh, organic, locally grown vegetables from the
farmers' market or another local source, or grow your own.
* Eat beans and bean products (such as tempeh and soymilk)
regularly, and include fruits, seeds and nuts for flavor
and variety.
* Whole grains, vegetables, beans and fruits are the basics
of good nutrition. If a child's diet includes them, the most
important nutritional bases are covered.
* Dairy products (other than breast milk) after the age of
2 years are not recommended. He listed many health reasons.
Vegetables and legumes provide calcium and have other
nutritional advantages, so milk from cows is unnecessary.
* Eliminate meat and poultry and reduce fish consumption.
Children raised on plant proteins have better health as
adults.

Spock's approach is borne out by research findings
published since his death, pointing to health advantages of
diets based on plant foods. Nearly 10 years on the shelf and
his nutrition advice is as fresh as ever. 
http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/603236.html

Many reasons to be a vegetarian

As children we just ate what was put before us. We asked no
questions. We made no connections about our food. As we
grew, maybe we realized in a vague and uninvolved way that
the pork chop or steak on our plate was once a living
animal. In the supermarket, we saw packages of meat and
blood but still where it all came from was abstract. Now I
wonder if we shouldn't let our children gently in on the
“secret” of what they are eating and how the animals live
and die. It would be interesting to see how many children
would no longer want to eat meat...
http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2007/06/03/news/lake_life/lakelife04.txt

Choosing a vegetarian diet changed their health

Though no physician ever suggested that Barbara Bush of
Carrollton become a vegetarian, the assistant professor at
the University of North Texas realized that she inherited a
legacy of diet-related diseases that included diabetes and
heart problems. 

A dozen years ago, she began as a vegetarian, then
transitioned to a vegan, someone who eats no animal
products whatsoever, including dairy and eggs. "Doctors
seem to enjoy telling me I'm in good health," she says.
"And I feel like I'm in good health." 

She's part of a growing trend of people abstaining from or
limiting the amount of meat and other animal-based products
in their diet. As of last year, there were an estimated 4.8
million vegetarians in the United States, one-third to
one-half of them vegan, according to the Vegetarian
Resource Group, a nonprofit educational organization. That
number has nearly doubled since 1997...
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/healthyliving/nutrition/stories/DN-nh_vegetarianjump_0619liv.ART.State.Edition1.4368fc4.html

HOW TO GO FROM PART-TIME TO FULL-TIME VEGETARIAN

There’s never been a better time to switch to a totally
meatless diet. Grocery stores and restaurants have more
meatless products and more types of fruits and veggies than
ever. And once you’ve started, you’ll almost certainly feel
better, shed unwanted pounds and improve your health. But
if simply taking the first step seems daunting, here’s a
way to make it easy...
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/section/74

The Three Keys to Change

... Dr. Dean Ornish, a professor of medicine at the
University of California at San Francisco, convinced the
Mutual of Omaha insurance company to pay for an unusual
experiment. The researchers recruited 194 patients who
suffered from severely clogged arteries and could have
bypass grafts or angioplasties covered by their insurance
plans. Instead they signed up for a trial. The staffers
helped them quit smoking and switch to an extreme
vegetarian diet that derived fewer than 10 percent of its
calories from fat. In places like Omaha, they shifted from
steaks and fries to brown rice and greens. The patients got
together for group conversations twice a week, and they also
took classes in meditation, relaxation, yoga, and aerobic
exercise, which became parts of their daily routines.

The program lasted for only a year. After that, they were
on their own. But three years from the start, the study
found, 77 percent of the patients had stuck with these
lifestyle changes--and safely avoided the need for heart
surgery. They had halted--or, in many cases, reversed--the
progress of their disease...
http://www.fastcompany.com/articles/2007/01/change-or-die.html?partner=rss

Interview: Outside the Ring With Boxer Maureen Shea

She’s a poet, a musician, a girly-girl, and a vegetarian:
Maureen Shea is ranked by the WBA as the #1 Undefeated
Super Featherweight boxer in the world. Her scorecard reads
10-0-5 KO’s. Preparing for the upcoming Co-Main Event in
Reno, Maureen Shea discusses the fascinating world of a
female boxer... My nutritionist is Robert Ferguson, and he
is also a vegetarian. I’ve been a vegetarian for seven
months. My body went this way after I had my gallbladder
out. It just doesn’t want red meat. I ate fish, chicken,
and eggs. Slowly, I began steering away from turkey and
chicken; and incorporated soy proteins. My digestion is
better, my thinking is better, and I’m calmer, stronger,
and lighter. It’s also easier to make weight. I’m not
cutting calories though. Last month I went completely
vegan, I don’t eat anything with a heartbeat...
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/06/11/141015.php

Athlete: Forget meat; go for the fruit and veggies

As meat recalls and other tainted food reports have grabbed
the headlines in recent days, one athletic movement may be
gaining steam and power from an unlikely source - plants...
With a growing interest over the last few decades in events
like the Ironman, Eco Challenge and other ultra
competitions that test the extent of human endurance, the
common notion was held that meat, beans and soy products
were the only sources of protein to keep the body going.

Standing over 6 feet tall and weighing 165 pounds, Bradley
Saul says he has debunked the theory with claims he gets
all the protein he needs from his massive diet of fruits
and vegetables. He buys several cases of peaches,
nectarines and apricots to consume over the week and
balances the fruit with a big salad made with three heads
of lettuce. No Gatorade or Cytomax... "People think they're
weak in energy from the lack of protein, but usually it's
because they don't eat enough. It's the most common myth.
Protein is a non-issue as long as whole plant foods are
eaten," he said...
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20070611/NEWS/106110030/-1/rss02

Vegetarian and vegan nutrition

... Many bodybuilders scoff at the notion that you can
build quality muscle while avoiding meat and whey protein
shakes. Individuals like Roy Hilligenn (1951 Mr. America),
Steve Holt (a top-ranking natural bodybuilder) and Mike
Mahler (a vegan strength training coach) have proven that
this is a myth. You can live a healthy, productive
lifestyle and yes, even gain muscle, by following a
completely vegan nutrition plan. The key is to know what
foods to include... 
http://www.ameinfo.com/124931.html

Vegetarian athletes need diet plan

... the top three concerns of parents of vegetarian
athletes: 1) A vegetarian diet will not provide enough
calories for sports performance; 2) A vegetarian athlete
cannot get enough protein to build muscle; 3) A vegetarian
diet is deficient in calcium and iron.

The first concern is easy to address. Vegetarian diets
center on whole grains, fruits and vegetables — all good
sources of carbohydrates, a key nutrient for athletes.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that a
well-planned vegetarian diet can meet all the nutritional
requirements for children and teens, but the key phrase is
"well-planned." A teenage athlete who gives up eating meat
and chooses french fries and a soft drink for lunch is not
going to meet energy demands for sports.

For help planning a vegetarian meal pattern, check out the
USDA's tips and resources for vegetarian diets at
http://www.mypyramid.gov/tips_resources/vegetarian_diets_print.html

... Good protein sources for vegetarians include beans and
rice, lentil or bean soup with whole-grain bread, peanut
butter and crackers, pasta with tomato sauce and soy cheese
and nuts. In addition, there are many soy-based foods to
choose from.

Getting adequate calcium and iron is not difficult with the
right food choices... calcium-fortified soy and rice milk,
as well as soy-based cheeses, provide good sources of
calcium. Other good choices of calcium include broccoli,
Chinese cabbage (Napa), collard and turnip greens, almonds,
dried beans and calcium-fortified juice. To get adequate
iron, choose foods like dried beans and fortified breakfast
cereals, but also include a food rich in vitamin C to
enhance iron absorption — top a bean burrito with chopped
tomatoes, or slice strawberries on cereal to help get
adequate iron. 
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_6129414?source=rss

101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian

The extensively updated SEVENTH EDITION of “101 Reasons Why
I'm a Vegetarian” (2007) has been printed and delivered.
Order or download here:
http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/2007ed.new/

Know your greens, from arugula to watercress

Greens Glossary & Salad Making Tips
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/document/561

Raw Food is More Nutritious

... Our bodies are made of living cells and require a good
amount of living food to keep it functioning properly and
to repair damaged cells. Raw fruits and vegetables are rich
in vitamins, minerals and enzymes... The easiest way to add
more raw food to your diet is to eat more raw food as
snacks– like carrots and hummus or a fruit salad. A quick
and easy lunch could be raw or lightly steamed mixed
vegetables with brown rice or quinoa. And don’t forget to
consume bigger salads with a wide variety of raw vegetables
for lunch and dinner. Ideally you should eat salad twice a
day, but at minimum once a day. Salads are densely
nutritious and low in calories and fat so long as you don’t
go overboard on the nuts and salad dressing...
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51635.asp

Vegetarian Summerfest

The 33rd annual conference is set for July 25-29, 2007 at
the Conference Center at Pitt-Johnstown on the University
of Pittsburgh campus at Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Cutting-edge Educational Sessions - Health and nutrition,
lifestyle issues, cooking, recipes, exercise and fitness,
animal rights, compassionate living, Earth stewardship, and
even more!
Meet Others of Like Mind - Hundreds of attendees, from
beginners to seasoned vegetarians – all ages. Social
gatherings for everyone – singles, couples and families.
Great Natural-food Vegan Meals - Prepared under the
direction of an "International Gold Medal Winning" chef,
Ken Bergeron. Many organic ingredients.
Special Guest: Actress/Activist Loretta Swit
http://www.vegetariansummerfest.org/

Health News:

"Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your
food."  
Hippocrates, the father of medicine.

Healthful foods boost cancer survival rates

... As a cancer survivor, I am concerned by how many people
remain unaware that making dietary and lifestyle changes can
improve their chances of preventing and surviving cancer.
For me -- and millions of others like me -- every day is
survivor's day, every day an opportunity to share our
stories of life beyond cancer. My story involves the
importance of making healthy food choices.

Statistics show that 30 percent to 60 percent of cancer
cases are diet-related, which means that there are many
food and lifestyle choices we can make to protect
ourselves. But not enough cancer survivors are informed
that they can boost their chances of staying healthy by
changing what they eat. Far too many people still believe
that meat, cheese, milk and other animal products are a
dietary necessity. But science has repeatedly shown that a
plant-based diet composed of legumes, whole grains, fruits
and vegetables can help prevent cancer and cancer
recurrence...
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk0MTEmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcxNDQzMDUmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXky

Flavonoids linked to improved mental health

A diet rich in flavonoids, compounds in fruit, vegetables,
coffee, tea and chocolate, could reduce the decline in
mental function associated with age, says a new study from
France... 
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=77326-flavonoids-cognitive-performance-polyphenols

Top 5 Ways to Spice Up Your Health

Spices. Wars have been fought over them. Great explorers
have sailed in pursuit of them. And gifting history was
made by three wise men bearing them. Turns out that the
ancients were on to something. Research is now showing that
five spices we've long savored just for their flavor are
also nutritional powerhouses. Toss these overachievers into
your salad or sauce and get a whopping dose of
disease-preventing antioxidants along with a flavorful
punch. 
1. Cinnamon This natural germ-fighter also helps lower
blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels -- ¼
teaspoon a day is a healthy goal. Sprinkle a little of the
powder on freshly ground coffee beans when making your
morning java... 
2. Thyme... makes it onto the RealAge list of healthy herbs
by virtue of its anti-cancer potency. It's also long been
used as an antiseptic -- yep, that could be thyme oil in
your mouthwash. If you've got a fresh bunch, mince some
into your vinaigrette. Yum. 
3. Cumin Concealed in your humble chili powder is one of
the world's most popular spices (it's a key ingredient in
Indian curries too) and another anti-cancer soldier. Go
exotic and add cumin to rice and grain salads and
marinades...
4. Oregano Thank our GIs for bringing oregano home from
Italy after WWII. A food world superpower, leaves of the
herb boast 42 times more antioxidants than apples. Wow. Use
oregano to add a delicate flavor to salad dressings, garlic
bread, and... your favorite pastas.
5. Turmeric Called the "Queen of the Kitchen" by Indian
cooks, turmeric (and its active ingredient, curcumin) has
earned its crown. Studies show promise in fighting cystic
fibrosis, colon cancer, arthritis, and even Alzheimer's --
is there anything this golden gal can't do? For an earthy
flavor and yellow coloring, add a pinch of turmeric to
rice, stew, or lentils -- hey, it might even help you
remember where you left your keys last night.
http://food.yahoo.com/blog/beautyeats/12371/top-5-ways-to-spice-up-your-health

A vegan diet is safe, healthy for infants

It was a horrific crime. Last month in Atlanta, two parents
were convicted of intentionally starving their 6-week-old
child to death. As part of their defense, the parents of
Crown Shakur claimed that they are vegan, meaning that they
do not consume meat, dairy or other animal products. Their
conviction has brought international attention to vegan
child rearing.

As a nutritionist who testified as an expert witness for
the prosecution in the trial, I want to clear up some
disturbing misunderstandings about the case. Vegan diets
are not only safe for babies; they're healthier than ones
based on animal products... 
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/4919336.html

Edible hemp good source of omega-3 

... For a vegan, eating smart means incorporating food
sources that are rich in heart- healthy omega-3 fatty
acids. Studies report a reduced incidence of cardiovascular
disease with this well-known fatty acid. The American Heart
Association recommends two servings of fish per week as
part of a heart-healthy diet since fish is high in this
essential fatty acid. But if you are a vegan, don't like
fish or are concerned about contaminants and mercury levels
in fish, you need plant sources to include in your diet...
The richest plant choice for omega-3 fatty acids is flax
seeds and flax seed oil, but hemp seeds, oils and hemp
powders are also a good choice. In addition, hemp seed
contains a balance of both omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs,
gamma-linolenic acid, protein and fiber. The hemp seed also
contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a
complete protein which is also a plus for vegans... Hemp
may also be found as an ingredient in many foods that state
to be high in omega-3 EFAs, protein or fiber...
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/COLUMNISTS/706060303

Plant-Based Diets Play Critical Role in Breast Cancer
Survival 

A new study in the "Journal of Clinical Oncology"
reinforces existing evidence showing that women with breast
cancer can greatly reduce their risk of recurrence by eating
a healthy plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables and
making other healthy lifestyle choices, according to
nutrition experts with The Cancer Project. 

"Women coping with breast cancer deserve to know that
plant-based diets and regular exercise can spell the
difference between life and death," says Jennifer Reilly,
R.D., senior nutritionist with The Cancer Project. "In the
battle against breast cancer, fruits, vegetables, and other
low-fat vegetarian foods may be our most powerful weapons.
Doctors must let women know that diet changes and exercise
can help them beat this terrible disease." 
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=74026&nfid=rssfeeds

Vitamin D: Will it fight disease where others have failed?

... With a new study showing that vitamin D supplementation
reduced the risk of cancer in women, the group recommended
that adults "consider" taking 1,000 IU, or international
units, of vitamin D daily in the fall and winter.

In the four-year study of 1,179 postmenopausal women
published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
researchers found that those taking 1,110 IU of vitamin D a
day were 60 per cent less likely to get cancer than their
peers taking placebos. The women took vitamin D along with
calcium.

Earlier studies suggested that the vitamin protects from
breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers as well as
diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. But
the recent study is the first randomized, controlled trial
- the most reliable form of clinical evidence - to
substantiate that vitamin D is an important tool in
fighting cancer...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070611.wxlvitamin11/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070611.wxlvitamin11
VM Note: The best source by far is from the sun. Darker
skin requires more sunlight. In northern latitudes be sure
and take 1,000 to 2,000 IU supplement daily from November
to March. 

New reason to cut salt 

Cutting down on salt is not just for reducing blood
pressure anymore. It also may lower your long-term odds of
heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death by 25%, says
a new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. 

Researchers analyzed the effects of reducing sodium intake
by 25% to 30% after 10 to 15 years in large-scale studies.
Their conclusion: Cutting sodium is a good way to prevent
cardiovascular disease in general -- not only high blood
pressure -- and it has no harmful effects. 
http://www.usaweekend.com/07_issues/070610/070610thinksmart.html#eatsmart

Good Health Straight to Your Inbox

Looking for some healthy and delicious recipes to try? Sign
up for the Cancer Project's Weekly Recipe. A new Cancer
Project-approved recipe will be delivered to your inbox
every Monday. Past recipes have included diverse selections
such as New Year's Day Hoppin' John, Cheezy Garbanzo Spread,
Baked Tortilla Chips, and Lazy Lasagna. To sign up, visit
http://www.CancerProject.org and click on the link on the
homepage.

The Nutrition Rainbow Poster

The more naturally colorful your meal is, the more likely
it is to have an abundance of cancer-fighting nutrients.
Pigments that give fruits and vegetables their bright
colors represent a variety of protective compounds. The
Nutrition Rainbow poster shows the cancer-fighting and
immune-boosting power of different-hued foods. 17"x22",
$6.00 or free download!
http://pcrm.safeshopper.com/15/cat15.htm?485
http://www.cancerproject.org/resources/pdfs/2006RainbowPoster.pdf

Eating Fish Does Not Protect the Heart 

People who believe a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids from
fish is cardioprotective may soon have a change of heart. A
new study in the May issue of the American Journal of
Cardiology suggests that fish consumption does not improve
heart health or prevent coronary heart disease.  

The study found that the heart benefits so often associated
with a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish were more
likely the result of people regularly consuming fish also
having healthier dietary patterns overall... “Fish has a
questionable role in heart-disease prevention and contains
surprisingly high levels of mercury and other toxins, as
well as fat and cholesterol, making it a poor dietary
choice.”... 
http://www.pcrm.org/newsletter/jun07/fish.html

Government Fails Consumers, Falls Short on Seafood
Inspection

The Food and Drug Administration oversees the safety of
seafood imports. However, inadequate funding and a mediocre
inspection program contributed to the federal government
agency physically inspecting less than two percent of the
860,000 imported seafood shipments in 2006. Only 0.59
percent of shipments were tested for contaminants in a
laboratory...
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/fish/pubs/reports/import-alert

Environmental News:

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for
survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a
vegetarian diet."  Albert Einstein

Fuelling extinction

HUMAN activities are wiping out three animal or plant
species every hour and the world must do more to slow the
worst spate of extinctions since the dinosaurs by 2010, the
United Nations said... Many experts reckon the world will
fail to meet the goal set by world leaders at the 2002
Earth Summit of a “significant reduction” by 2010 in the
rate of species losses. Global warming is adding to threats
such as land clearance for farms or cities, pollution and
rising human populations... Every year, between 18,000 and
55,000 species become extinct...    
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2007/6/12/lifefocus/17820842&sec=lifefocus
VM Note: The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization has
identified Animal Agriculture as the leading cause of
Global Warming and other environmental concerns. Be cool -
go vegan!

The Environmental Impact of a Meat-Based Diet

I always knew that becoming a vegetarian would help prevent
cruelty to animals but I was not aware of the environmental
consequences of a meat-eating diet. The production of beef
and other animal protein consumes huge amounts of natural
resources such as water, fossil fuels and topsoil, while
polluting our water and air. In fact, switching to a
plant-based diet from a meat-eating diet is the single most
important move I can make to help the environment, much more
effective than turning off the water when I brush my teeth
or recycling and reusing. (Although, I will always continue
to conserve and recycle!)... 
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/document/574

Diet vows to thin carbon footprint

Attention chubby do-gooders, and maybe Al Gore. The global
warming diet is here. Food choice affects climate change,
says San Francisco chef Laura Stec, who has penned -- yes
-- "The Global Warming Diet" with Eugene Cordero, a
professor of meteorology at San Jose State University. The
250-page book is full of vegetarian fare, guides for
relevant "discussion" parties, a few inconvenient truths
and a cowcatcher full of scientific claims from the Union
of Concerned Scientists, the United Nations and other
sources. "One of the most positive effects you can have on
the environment begins on your dinner plate," said Miss
Stec, who calls her diet "global cooling cuisine."...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070611-104522-5864r.htm

Domestic farmed fish go under the microscope

... Almost all farmed salmon are raised in offshore open
net pens, where concentrated waste decimates the ecology of
the coast. These confined and bred salmon, which come from a
tiny genetic pool, can escape and breed with local species,
and throw off the wild breed's ability to reproduce.
Cramped pens necessitate the use of antibiotics. Red dye is
fed to the fish to give the meat an appealing color. All of
these are reasons that salmon farming has been considered
unsustainable... tuna ranching in the waters of the
Mediterranean is a disaster in the making, because, he
says, "They're harvesting juvenile wild tuna for fattening,
and now what you have is a fishery where both the juvenile
and adult tuna are being taken.'' The problem, he says, is
that the perfect fish for farming has yet to be found...
"Most of what we eat that's farmed is coming from China...
Food and Water Watch reports that the United States imports
80 percent of the seafood we consume, most of it from Latin
America and Asia. The aquaculture practices in many of
these countries damage the environment, and many
enterprises use additives and antibiotics banned in the
United States...  
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/13/FDGIKQB1T51.DTL&feed=rss.food

Large dairy stripped of organic certification: 
10,000-cow operation in Calif. found to have violated
standards

... Sales of organic milk are soaring, but watchdogs say
some of the dairy products shoppers are consuming may not
be as earth-friendly as the labels purport... Mark Kastel,
co-director of the Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based
consumer watchdog group. “Our hope is that this is the
first salvo in a crackdown against these industrial farms
that are masquerading as being organic.”... Experts say the
government rarely suspends dairies’ organic certification...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19106731/

Animal Sentience:

"The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They
were not made for humans any more than black people were
made for white, or women created for men."  
Alice Walker, author and activist.

Animals value their lives' just as we do

... They yearn to be with their loved ones, feel the warmth
of the sun, breathe fresh air and feel grass beneath their
feet. They feel pain every bit as much as we do, are
terrified by the sights and smells of the slaughterhouse
and are afraid to die. Like us, animals fight for their
lives and struggle to avoid suffering.

When Nobel-Prize-winning author Isaac Bashevis Singer fled
Nazi Europe in 1935, he took a room above a slaughterhouse
and watched as cows were prodded, kicked and sworn at as
they were herded down a ramp to their deaths. He
proclaimed, "As long as human beings go on shedding the
blood of animals, there will never be any peace." If you
want to help create a more peaceful society, please visit
www.GoVeg.com for a free vegetarian starter kit.
http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/OPINION02/706070312

Do fish have feelings too?

... "I spend half my life telling people fish aren't
stupid," says Dr Culum Brown, a specialist in fish
behaviour at Macquarie University in Sydney, and co-author
of Fish Cognition and Behaviour. According to Brown, "Fish
are more intelligent than they appear. In many areas, such
as memory, their cognitive powers match or exceed those of
'higher' vertebrates including non-human primates." Fish
learn and pass on what they have learned just as any other
animal does...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,,2107775,00.html

All Cooped Up in a Manhattan Co-op 

LET me explain why my 12-year-old had a chicken coop in her
bedroom. I never planned to be raising chickens in a
Manhattan apartment. My fastidious mother would fall over
in a dead faint if she could see me now, washing spinach at
the sink and tossing a few leaves to the creatures pecking
at my feet... As soon as Isabella came home from school and
opened their cage, he would politely stand aside to let
Cheep emerge. If she wandered out of his sight, he would
squawk and scurry off to find her. Then Cheep would
reappear with Chirp at her heels, jump up on Isabella’s arm
and hold still to be scratched under the chin. Chirp would
observe these proceedings with a cocked head and a
quizzical stare, but when Isabella reached down to give him
equal time, he would step back — too shy, or too proud, to
admit he too wanted to be touched — and make her chase him.
Whoever coined the phrase “dumb cluck” never met our
chickens...  
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/17/garden/17chickens.html?ex=1181793600&en=6c94145ee476736f&ei=5070

Take Action:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed,
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing
that ever has."  
Margaret Mead, anthropologist

Changing Lives One Leaflet at a Time

... personal interaction is tremendously successful at
affecting the hearts and minds of people, and this can be
much more effective than advertising or legislation; after
all, an ad can be ignored and a law repealed, but once
someone is enlightened about the harrowing abuses that
occur every day within factory farms, biomedical labs,
circuses, puppy mills and more, it is unlikely that a
compassionate human being could forget what they’ve
learned. You might not convince someone overnight to give
up eating meat or wearing leather, but on the other hand,
you just might... “we can oftentimes reach hundreds of
individuals with this information. Even if just one
individual goes vegetarian out of this, we’re looking at
approximately 35 birds and mammals spared a life of
suffering per year. This is not including the number of
people who will be more empathetic to farmed animal issues
and such. In short, this is a highly effective and
efficient use of time. So while it might be easy to dwell
on the worst-case scenario, the likeliest of scenarios is
always that leafleting will be relatively painless and that
as a result, many more individuals will consider the
animals’ plight.”
http://www.satyamag.com/jun07/hawthorne.html

Whales Revenge

... an ambitious campaign to gather 1 million signatures
for a petition to stop whaling. Every year thousands of
precious mammals are slaughtered in the name of so-called
'scientific research'. Add your voice by signing this
campaign then forwarding it everyone you know. Please help
us stop the killing.
http://www.whalesrevenge.com/

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