Here are the March-July Tips and Info. Although these were posted in 2003, the information is still pertinent. Please scroll down to the month's info that is of interest to you. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. In other words, all information is offered as educational info ONLY. March Tips--"A Safer Way to Clean Your Home" April Tips--Insect & Pest Control With Herbs and Spices May's Tips: What's In Your Indoor Air? Why Care? And What Can You Do About It? June's Tips: Recipes! July's Tip: MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) Click on the "Tips 2" Tab for: August-Coral Calcium September-Beware of Aspartame! October-Tea Tree Oil December-Native American Tree Resin. Click on the "Tips 3" Tab for: January-Cannibal Cows and Mad Cow Disease February-Healthy Living Information Websites March 2004-Air Purifier Solutions to Mold). In the future I will resume posting new monthly Tips & Info. But for now, there is plenty of information to check out. Thanks. Sequoia ******************************************************** March Tips   "A Safer Way to Clean Your Home" In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. NOTE: I have not tried all of these suggestions, so I suggest that you try something on a small, out-of-sight area on fabric, carpet, plants, etc.. Please realize that the material is offered for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, so use your common sense! I'm not assuming any responsibility for this info, so again, USE YOUR COMMON SENSE! These are tips for finding safer ways to clean your home, rather than using some of the harmful chemicals on the market. My friend, KA, was kind enough to prepare this summary of information from some of the books I loaned her. So, thanks, K! In reality everything we use is a chemical. Even water is a chemical, but it is the harsher or more toxic chemicals that are the problem. It is possible to find less harmful products for many household uses. Listed below are some common household items that could help with your household chores, and save you from the side effects of those “harsher chemical products”. They are certainly more environmentally friendly and most likely more affordable. But, realize that if you suffer from MCS (see FAQ #2 for details), even some of these recommendations may not be for you! Alcohol What can you do with rubbing alcohol-besides using it to clean wounds? You can clean the tape head on your stereo-cassette player with a cotton swab, substitute it for spot remover to remove grass and dye stains, clean paint brushes, clean silicone caulking around bathroom tubs, and shine chrome. Kill aphids on your plants by rubbing them with cotton balls soaked in diluted alcohol. Ammonia (Important! NEVER mix with bleach, i.e, Chlorox)!!!) Use ammonia to keep dogs out of garbage cans. (Soak a rag with full strength ammonia and tie it to the handle or lid.) Rub scorched spots off bottoms of pots. Clean combs and jewelry with equal parts of ammonia and water. Clean carpets and upholstery with 1-cup clear ammonia per ½ gallon of warm water. Remove paint spots from clothing with equal parts of ammonia and turpentine. Saturate the spot, then wash in warm sudsy water. (Try a small, out-of-sight area first!) Baby Oil Baby oil will remove oil based paints from skin. Try it to remove white rings and spots on furniture. Add a tablespoon of baby oil with ¼ cup milk to your bath water. It will make your skin feel soft and smooth. Mix ¼ cup baby oil with a few drops of aroma-therapy oil and create scented bath oil. Use it as make up remover. Apply baby oil with a moist cloth once a week to shower doors. It will get rid of the scum and build up. Baby Wipes Do you want to avoid putting shoe polish on baby shoes? Clean them with baby wipes. They will also absorb a coffee spill from a rug. Baking Soda Scour pots, pans and cups that have been stained by coffee or tea with baking soda. It is environmentally benign. It is non-abrasive and can be used on fine china, porcelain appliances, stainless steel, aluminum and cast iron, too. It also works as a fire extinguisher when applied to an electrical or grease fire. Hair Spray (Avoid this one if you have MCS!) Spray hair spray on clothes stained with lipstick, markers or ink. It can even help loosen gum. Place African violets that have plant lice inside a plastic bag that has been pre-sprayed with hair spray for a day. Tie the bag shut. Spray recipe cards with hair spray to keep them clean. Household Bleach (Important! NEVER mix with ammonia!!!) Clean washable wallpaper by wiping it down with water and a little bleach. Soak a white dishcloth in bleach and lay it over the stain on a counter for 10-15 minutes. Rinse clean. Pat a poison ivy rash with a weak solution of chlorine bleach and water to relieve the itching. (Use at your own discretion!) Lemon Juice Lemon juice will whiten discolored chopping boards and yellowed ivory handles. Rub a wooden cutting board with a slice of lemon to remove garlic and onion smells. Rinse your hands with lemon juice to remove fruit and berry stains. Sprinkle half a cut lemon with salt to clean brass and copper items – and stainless steel sinks. Mayonnaise Use mayonnaise to remove white rings and spots on wood furniture. Wipe it on, let it stand for an hour, wipe it off. Use it to soothe skin that has been sun burned or wind burned. Spread it on tar spots, rub and wipe away. Newspaper Use newspaper instead of paper towels to dry newly washed windows. Remove odors from plastic containers by placing a crumpled piece inside, securing the lids and leaving overnight. Petroleum Jelly Shine patent leather with petroleum jelly. Remove eye makeup. Apply it to lipstick stains on linen napkins before throwing them in the washer. Cover white rings and spots on wooden furniture with petroleum jelly and let stand overnight. Wipe off the next day. Coat a clean and dry car battery terminal with it to prevent corrosion. Salt Salt and white vinegar mixed in equal parts will clean coffee stains and tea stains from china cups. Salt will dissolve excess soapsuds in a sink or washing machine. Pour salt in the crevices between bricks on your patio to discourage grass from growing. Shampoo Shampoo for oily hair will clean shirt collars. Use it instead of expensive laundry products. Dirt is really body oil and soil. Use it as a grease cutter to remove grease and grime from your hands. Vegetable Spray Non-stick vegetable spray will stop squeaks in door hinges and oscillating fans. A sticking key will turn more easily after being sprayed. Rub a dull shower door with it. Wash bugs off your car more easily by spraying the hood and grill with it. (Try a small, out-of-sight area first!) Vinegar (White, not Apple Cider) Clean a water line from a vase by rubbing it with a vinegar soaked paper towel. Place a small bowl of white vinegar in a smoke filled room during and after a party to eliminate odors. Chase ants away by misting them with vinegar. Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a quart of water and pour around your azaleas. They love acidic soil. It’s safe, inexpensive and non-toxic. These are only a few more environmentally friendly uses of everyday items you have in your house. Many more exist. Check the references below for more ideas. Americans are full of ingenuity and you may be the next to add solutions to these many lists. References Another Use For…..101 Common Household Items Vicki Lansky, The Book Peddlers of Deephaven,MN Book Trade Distribution:Publishers Group West Baking Soda-Over 500 Fabulous, Fun and Frugal Uses You’ve Probably Never Thought Of Vicki Lansky, The Leader Co., Inc. Herbal Home Hints (Hundreds of Tips and Formulas for Cleaning Just About Anything) Louise Gruenberg, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, Pennsylvania Paint Your House With Powdered Milk, And Hundreds More Offbeat Uses for Brand-name Products Joey Green, Hyperion, NY (Also author of Polish Your Furniture With Panty Hose)

April Tips-- Insect & Pest Control With Herbs and Spices In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. NOTE: The following is offered for information only. Use your common sense when utilizing any of the recommendations. Crawling Insects A number of herbs will repel crawling insects. Cloves, Bay Leaves (especially good for ants) and Sage are 3 of the strongest natural insect repellents. Merely place any one of these 3 herbs around a problem area, and bugs should get the message to move on elsewhere! If you want to keep your cabinet shelves clean of powdered herbs, merely place some of the herbs in self-made cheesecloth sacs. Ants, roaches and spiders can be a bit more stubborn. If the above 3 herbs are not effective, try mixing 2 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax with any powdered sweetner. Sprinkle this mixture around areas that these insects frequent. Also, crawling insects will not cross a line made of a fine powder such as baby powder. Flying Insects Keeping a plant or two of basil around your home will repel most any kind of flying insects. The basil plant will give off extra aroma if you keep it well watered from the bottom (but, don't over water!). If you don't have a green thumb, try hanging several small self-made cheesecloth or muslin bags of fresh dried basil around your home. Flies First, make certain your garbage can(s) and/or trash compactors stay tightly sealed. But, if flies do hang around, Oil of Lavender is quite effective in repelling them. Soak a sponge with Oil of Lavender and leave it in a saucer, or place the Oil of Lavender on a cotton ball, and add it to your trash can each week. It is also a natural way of helping your kitchen or trash can outside smell better. Oil of Cloves and Mint Sprigs are also natural fly repellents (Just make sure you keep the Oil of Cloves away from your face, as it is extremely harsh to nasal, mouth and eye membranes.) Roaches Fill a shallow dish with any type of cheap alcoholic beverage, especially wine, and place where your roaches hang out. This should eliminate roaches (they will drown happy!). Weevils Try placing a dried chili pepper in with your grains and beans. That should repel weevils without affecting the grains or beans. Mealworms Grain products such as macaroni, spaghetti, etc. can be kept free of mealworms by placing a wrapped slice of spearmint gum near these products. Make sure you use spearmint. Don't use Juicy Fruit--the mealworms like this one! Fleas Pet Flea Collar: Cut a strip of cloth about an inch larger than the size of your pet's neck. Fold it over so that there is an opening in the center. Sew one end shut as well as placing a seam down the length of the strip. Use a funnel, and fill the opening with a 50/50 mixture of rosemary and oregano (dried is OK). Then sew or tape a piece of Velcro to close the open end. Attach this natural flea collar to your pet, using the Velcro closure. Fleas can be eliminated by vacuuming them up with a high powered vacuum cleaner (I have heard Electrolux is highly recommended) with a good sealing bag. Important: Remove the bag and dispose of it as soon as you have finished vacuuming! To keep fleas away from your pet's sleeping area, try mixing a few drops of Oil of Lavender with some distilled water in a spray bottle. (Experiment with the strength you need for your particular situation.) Spritz this mixture around. Fleas hate Oil of Lavender; hopefully your pet won't as well. Mosquitoes Studies have demonstrated that electric bug zappers don't work on mosquitoes. Citronella oil candles are effective in repelling these pests. Moths Moths seem to be attracted to bright yellow. So, trap moths by mixing 1 part of molasses with 2 parts of white vinegar and placing this mixture in a bright yellow container. Be sure to leave an opening, so the moths can fly in! Also, moth eggs in your woolens can be killed by placing the woolens in a plastic bag. Place the bag in the freezer for at least 24 hours. Make sure you store your woolens in as airtight a bag as possible. Silverfish Try mixing 1 part of molasses in 2 parts of white vinegar. Apply this mixture to cracks and holes where Silverfish reside. Also apply to baseboards and table legs as well. (Be sure to try a small amount of this mixture on the table leg to make sure it doesn't marr the finish.) Carpenter Ants Thoroughly mix 4 ounces of cherry or grape jelly, 3 tablespoons of canned cat food and 1 tablespoon of boric acid. Place small amounts in areas where you have seen the Carpenter Ants. They will find the food and take it back to their queen, and the colony should be eliminated. (Make very sure that you don't place this mixture anywhere your pets would be attracted to it!) Snails While Roaches prefer wine, Snails like beer! Place stale cheap beer in an open, shallow container just below ground level. The snails will drop by for a drink. The beer has a diuretic effect, so the snails loose excess liquid in a short period of time, causing them to die. Slugs Slugs love cabbage more than your flowers! So, plant a few cabbage plants in your garden. The slugs will be happy and well fed, and your flowers will be left alone. Deer Use eggs that have gone bad and float in water (indicating the presence of hydrogen sulfide), take them outside. Break the rotten eggs open around the area that you want to repel deer. The deer don't like the smell of the hydrogen sulfide being released by the rotting eggs. Also, if you grate deodorant soap (not one that smells sweet), place the grating in small cloth sacs and hang a few sacs on each tree. Mice, Rats, Squirrels, Gophers, Moles, etc. These rodents hate the aroma of peppermint. So, plant mint around your home. Or, place a small amount of Oil of Peppermint on a cotten ball and drop it down a gopher hole. He should take a hint from the scent and move elsewhere! Source of Information: "Dr. Myles H. Bader: 10,001 Food Facts, Chefs' Secrets & Household Hints", 1998, ISBN 1-56799-865-8

May's Tips: What's In Your Indoor Air? Why Care? And What Can You Do About It? In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Did you realize it is possible to create some of the same benefits of a rainforest right in your own home? It is possible with houseplants! Plants, whether indoors or outdoors, are the lungs of the earth, producing oxygen, adding moisture to the air and filtering out toxins. In his book "How to Grow Fresh Air", Dr. B.C. Wolverton has presented a wealth of easy-to-use information on this subject. Dr. Wolverton, a noted scientist who worked with NASA, discovered that houseplants are the best filters of some of the common indoor pollutants, including formaldehyde, ammonia, and benzene! In addition to filtering out harmful chemicals, these plant-friends also help keep indoor air humidity levels within the healthy range of 35%-65%. When the air is too dry, it irritates the sensitive membranes in the nose. When humidity levels rise above 70%, it causes mold and mildew problems for people, and can damage furniture and electronic equipment. Those suffering with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity ("MCS") are already familiar with the fact that hundreds of these poisonous chemicals are released by furniture, carpets, building materials, household cleaners, perfumes, cosmetics, air fresheners, etc. To make indoor air quality even worse, these chemicals are then trapped inside, especially by closed ventilation systems, resulting in a broad range of respiratory and allergic reactions, particularly in children. So, what's the big deal? Well, Sherry Rodgers, MD, writes that chemicals commonly found in the home, office and school room, include benzene (a known cause of leukemia), as well as benzene derivatives like toluene, xylene and phenol. Plus there are often other hydrocarbons like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene ("TCE"), and styrene (found in plastics). These chemicals are all fat-soluble (meaning they easily pass into lipid cell membranes), and pass easily into the bloodstream when they are inhaled. Once in the body, the chemicals pass easily into the brain, resulting in symptoms which include depression, inability to think straight, exhaustion, dizziness and headache. Following is a list of some of the common chemicals found in the indoor air in your home, office and/or your child's school room, air which you and your family breathe on a daily basis. The sources of these chemical emissions, and their common side-effects, are also described. This information is based on a 1991 EPA Study (compiled by Julia Kendall (1935-1997); distributed by Environmental Health Network). Additional information is from the book "Tired or Toxic?" by Sherry A. Rodgers, MD (ISBN 0-9618821-2-3, available from NEEDS 1-800-634-1380). Don't get caught up in the name of the chemical. The important information is the products and the impact of using them on your health! And you thought perfume just made you smell good! Oh, the things the perfume manufacturers' PR industry doesn't tell the public! The following is provided for informational purposes only. The symptoms described are not necessarily experienced by every individual in the same way. A lot depends on the concentration of exposure. Numerous research articles indicate that many of the chemicals tend to build-up in the body's tissues over time and extended use or exposure. 1. FORMALDEHYDE (in: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, cosmetics, air fresheners, carpet & carpet pads, mattresses, couches, foam cushions, cigarettes, particle board, floor & ceiling tiles, household cleaners, permanent press clothing, plastics, shopping malls and fabric stores) Repetitive exposure can lead to build up in blood stream, manifesting as symptoms which include: fatigue, depression, poor memory, inability to concentrate, brain fog, headache, dizziness, flushing of face, burning of eyes & throat, chronic cough, asthma symptoms, heart palpitations. 2. XYLENE and TOLUENE (in: carpet & carpet pads, commercial cleaning supplies, vinyl floor tile) Symptoms include: fatigue, depression, poor memory, inability to concentrate, brain fog, headache, dizziness, flushing of face, burning of eyes & throat, chronic cough, asthma symptoms, heart palpitations. 3. AMMONIA (in: cleaning products, permanent press clothing, blueprint machines, electrophotographic printers) "irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain." Do not mix with chlorine bleach. 4. TRICHLOROETHYLENE ("TCE") (in: copy machines, solvents in machines & oils, correction fluid, dry cleaning, furniture glues, rug shampoos, floor polishes) TCE symptoms include: confusion, poor attention, undue fatigue, poor reaction time, peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling), poor coordination, headache, dizziness, poor decision making, muscle cramps. 5. ACETONE (in: cologne, dishwashing liquid and detergent, cosmetics, nail polish remover, Office correction fluid, pre-printed office forms) On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. "Inhalation can cause dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and, in severe exposures, coma." "Acts primarily as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant." 6. BENZALDEHYDE (in: perfume, cologne, hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, vaseline lotion, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent) Narcotic. Sensitizer. "Local anesthetic, CNS depressant"..."irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain." "May cause kidney damage". "Do not use with contact lenses." 7 BENZYL ACETATE (in: perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softner, stickup air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach, after shave, deodorants) Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer); "From vapors: hyperanemia of the lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects." "Do not flush to sewer." 8. BENZYL ALCOHOL (in: perfume, cologne, soap, shampoo, nail polish remover; air freshener, laundry bleach and detergent, vaseline lotion, deodorants, fabric softener) "irritating to the upper respiratory tract"..."headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure." 9. CAMPHOR (in: perfume, shaving cream, nail enamel and polish, fabric softener, dishwasher detergent, stickup air freshener) "local irritant and CNS stimulant"..."readily absorbed through body tissues"...irritation of eyes, nose and throat"..."dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions" "Avoid inhalation of vapors." 10. ETHANOL (in: perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, nail polish and remover, paint and varnish remover) On EPA Hazardous Waste List; symptoms: "...fatigue, irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract even in low concentrations..." "Inhalation of ethanol vapors can have effects similar to those characteristic of ingestion. These include an initial stimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia (loss of coordination), stupor..." Causes CNS disorder. 11. ETHYL ACETATE (in: after shave, cologne, perfume, shampoo, nail polish and remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid) Narcotic. On EPA Hazardous Waste List; "...irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract"..."may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)"..."defatting effect on skin and may cause drying and cracking"..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys" "Wash thoroughly after handling." 12. LIMONENE (in: perfume, cologne, disinfectant spray, bar soap, shaving cream, deodorants, nail polish and remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, after shave, bleach, pain and varnish remover) Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer." "Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking, ...applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor." 13. LINALOOL (in: perfume, cologne, bar soap, shampoo, hand lotion, nail polish remover, hairspray, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, bleach powder, fabric softener, shaving cream, after shave, solid deodorant) Narcotic..."respiratory disturbances"..."Attracts bees." "In animal tests: ataxic gait (incoordinated), reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression...development of respiratory disturbances leading to death."..."depressed frog-heart activity." Causes CNS disorder. 14. METHYLENE CHLORIDE (in: shampoo, cologne, paint and varnish remover) Banned by the FDA in 1988! No enforcement possibly due to trade secret laws protecting chemical fragrance industry. On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. "Carcinogenic"..."Absorbed, stored in body fat, it metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood." "Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, tingling in the limbs." Causes CNS disorder. 15. a-PINENE (in: bar and liquid soap, cologne, perfume, shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, air freshener) Sensitizer (damaging to the immune system) 16. g-TERPINENE (in: cologne, perfume, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, air freshener) "Causes asthma and CNS disorders." Wow! Quite a toxic soup in the indoor air quality we breathe! So, what to do? One helpful solution is to add indoor plants. The following plants are helpful in removing the designated chemicals from the air. They are listed in ascending to descending order, in other words, the first ones listed remove the highest percentage of of the specified chemical. FORMALDEHYDE REMOVERS: Excellent: Boston Fern, Florist's Mum, Gerbera Daisy, Dwarf Date Palm, Janet Craig, Bamboo Palm, Kimberly Queen Fern, Rubber Plant, English Ivy. Moderate: Weeping Fig, Peace Lily, Areca Palm, Corn Plant, Lady Palm, Schefflera, Dragon Tree, Warneckei, Lily Turf, Dendrobium Orchid, Dumb Cane (Exotica), Tulip, Ficus Alii, King of Hearts, Parlor Palm, Azelea, Chinese Evergreen, Spider Plant, Banana. XYLENE and TOLUENE REMOVERS: Excellent: Areca Palm, Dwarf Date Palm, Moth Orchid. Moderate: Dumb Cane (Camilla), Dragon Tree, Dendrobium Orchid, Dumb Cane (Exotica), King of Hearts, Kimberly Queen Fern, Warneckei, Lady Jane, Corn Plant, Weeping Fig, Peace Lily. AMMONIA: Excellent: Lady Palm. Moderate: King of Hearts, Lily Turf, Lady Jane, Florist's Mum, Peacock Plant, Dendrobium Orchid, Tulip. Fair: Parlor Palm, Arrowhead Vine, Weeping Fig, Peace Lilly, Corn Plant, Azalea. So, I hope this has tweaked your interest in Dr. Wolverton's book "How to Grow Fresh Air". It is a wonderful resource, with pages on each of 50 plants, rating them as to their efficiency at removing chemical vapors, ease of indoor growth and maintenance (with detailed information on how to keep them happy and healthy), resistance to insect infestation, and how much oxygen and humidity they add to increase indoor air quality. The following information is based on information from the book "How To Grow Fresh Air", by Dr. B.C. Wolverton, ISBN 0-14-026243-1, published by Penguin Books in 1996. It can be ordered from The Price-Pottenger Nutritional Foundation, 1-800-366-3748, or through Amazon.com. And information from the book "Tired or Toxic?" by Sherry A. Rodgers, MD (ISBN 0-9618821-2-3, available from NEEDS at 1-800-634-1380).

TIPS FOR JUNE-   RECIPES! In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. This month, I want to share some yummie soup recipes. Summer is here, so soup and salad make a enjoyable and sensible meal. Plus, you can prepare ahead! Purchasing a really good quality soup pot is a good investment! And, please use organic vegetables, whenever possible. This time of year they are readily available and affordable. Root vegetables in particular (potatoes, carrots, onions, turnips, leeks, garlic etc.) tend to concentrate the chemicals and pesticides applied to them, so please use organic especially for the root vegetables! POTATO AND CHEESE SOUP Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter 2 leeks, thinly sliced (onions just don't do the trick!) 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced 5 cups water 2 cups milk 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated salt and pepper to taste 1. Melt butter in a soup pot. Add the sliced leeks and sauté them for about 2 minutes on low heat. Add the diced potatoes and continue sautéing for another minute while stirring continually. 2. Add the water and cook over moderate heat, covered, for 30 minutes, or until the vegatables are soft. 3. Add the milk, cheese, salt and pepper, and bring the soup to a boil (be sure not to let it burn--so keep an eye on it). Turn off the heat and let the soup stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Serve hot. ********************************************* A HERMIT'S SOUP Ingredients: 1 potato 1 turnip half a small cabbage 2 carrots 1 onion 3 tablespoons oil (your choice!) 1/3 cup rice 2 quarts water salt and a pinch of thyme to taste 1. Wash and trim the vegatables. Cut and slice all of them into tiny pieces. 2. Pour oil into soup pot, add the vegetables, and sauté them for a few minutes. Add the rice and water. Stir well. Keeping the pot covered, cook over low heat for 1 hour. Add the salt and thyme just before serving. Stir well and serve hot. *********************************************** CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP Ingredients: 1 pound fresh cauliflower 2 potatoes 1 large carrot 1 onion 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth (see recipe below) 8 cups water 2 cups white sauce (see recipe below) salt and pepper to taste chopped chervil* as garnish (*Note: Chervil is an herb with a distinctive anise-tarragon flavor.) 1. Wash vegetables and slice into small pieces. Put the water in a large pot and add all the vegetables, the chopped garlic, and the chicken or vegetable broth. Cook slowly, over low-medium heat for 1 hour. Add more water if necessary. 2. In a medium-sized pot, prepare 2 cups of the white sauce according to recipe below. 3. After the vegetables are cooked, blend the soup in a blender and then pour back into the pot. Add the white sauce and seasonings according to taste. Stir the soup thoroughly. 4. Reheat the soup for a few minutes to serve hot (especially during the winter months). During the warm months, you can refrigerate the soup for 4 or more hours and serve cold, if you prefer. Sprinkle chopped chervil on top as garnish. ---------------------------------------------------------- CHICKEN BROTH (There is no substitute for making it yourself. Plus you avoid MSG! Ingredients: 18 cups water 2 pounds chicken pieces (or more if available) 2 onions, coarsely chopped 2 leeks, thinly sliced 2 carrots, sliced 1 celery stalk, sliced 5 garlic cloves, minced 1 bay leaf 1 egg white, beaten a bouquet of thyme and parsley sprigs, tied black peppercorns to taste salt to taste 1. Pour the water into a good-sized soup pot and add all the ingredients mentioned above. Bring the water to a boil, stir thoroughly, and then reduce the heat to low-medium. Cook slowly for about 2 hours and add more water if necessary. 2. When the broth is done, turn off the heat and let it rest gently for about 45 minutes. Withdraw the chicken and vegetables and then ladle the broth through a very fine strainer, or even better, through cheesecloth. When the broth has cooled, place it in proper containers and store it in the freezer for future use. -------------------------------------------------------- VEGETABLE BROTH Ingredients: 18 cups water (add more if necessary) 3 carrots, sliced 2 turnips, sliced and diced 2 zucchinis, sliced 2 leeks, sliced 1 onion, coarsely chopped 2 celery stalks, sliced 1 small lettuce, coarsely chopped (or a few leaves of cabbage) 4 bay leaves 1 orange peel, minced a few parsley sprigs, tied together black peppercorns to taste salt to taste 1. Pour the water into a large soup pot and add all the ingredients mentioned above. Bring the water to a boil and keep it boiling for about 30 minutes. Stir from time to time. 2. Reduce the heat to low-medium, stir some more, cover the pot, and let the broth simmer for about 2 hours. Filter the broth through a fine sieve, strainer, or cheesecloth. Allow it to cool and then store in the refrigerator or freezer for future use. This home-made bouillon is a wonderful remedy in case of colds and stomach troubles. ------------------------------------------ WHITE SAUCE Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Kuzu*, cornstarch or flour 1 1/2 cups milk 2 tablespoons butter salt and black pepper to taste dash of nutmeg (*Note: Kuzu Root Starch made by Eden Organics, is a thickener high in calcium) Dissolve the Kuzu, cornstarch or flour into a half cup of milk. Melt the butter in a medium-sized stainless-steel pot over medium heat. When the butter begins foaming, add the milk and dissolved thickening agent and stir continuously. Add the rest of the milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg and continue to stir until the sauce comes to a boil. Lower the heat and continue stirring until the sauce thickens. The sauce is ready when it is smooth and thick. The sauce can also be used as a base for many other useful variations. It can be used on fish, meats, eggs, vegetables, as well as in soups. ---------------------------------------- Source of these and other delicious recipes: "Twelve Months of Monastery Soups" by Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette, ISBN 0-7679-0180-0, US $16.95

JULY TIPS/INFORMATION: Are You Sensitive to MSG and Don't Know It? In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. The following is offered for informational purposes only. MSG (or Monosodium Glutamate) is commonly added to our food as a "flavor enhancer". Many individuals have reactions to ingesting MSG. These reactions range from mild to severe. Some of the more common reactions that have been reported include: headache, migraine, stomach upset, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), skin rashes, hives, insomnia, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, anxiety or panic attacks, heart palpations, partial paralysis, "heart attack-like symptoms", balance difficulties, mental confusion, mood swings, depressions, behavior disorders (especially in children and teens), allergy-type symptoms, skin rashes, runny nose, bags under the eyes, flushing, fibromyalgia-like symptoms, chronic fatigue-like symptoms, mouth lesions, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Marketed as a "flavor enhancer", MSG has no nutritional value. It does not affect the food, IT AFFECTS THE INDIVIDUAL who consumes the food! In other words, MSG has a drug-like effect upon the flavor perception of the person ingesting the food! MSG is not a preservative and does not protect food from contamination or spoilage. Food manufacturers use MSG to mask the inferior quality or freshness of foods. It can disguise the "tinny" taste of canned products and give a "fresh" taste to frozen or freeze-dried foods. MSG has a slight flavor of its own, often described as "chicken-like" or "sweet-salty" or "soapy". It has a relative weak or subtle flavor, which makes it difficult to identify in foods. Although MSG has very little taste of its own, it can still dramatically change the taste of food. It changes your PERCEPTION of the taste. It enhances the taste by exciting and increasing the sensitivity of your taste buds, stimulating an electrical discharge to the brain. Some scientists describe MSG as a neuro-transmitter. A neuro-transmitter is a substance which stimulates brain cell activity. So, MSG intolerance is not (usually) so much an allergic reaction, but a true drug reaction! Not all individuals experience a reaction after eating food containing MSG. It seems that approximately 30% of the population reacts to various amounts of MSG. But, as higher and higher doses of MSG are added to our foods, more and more people are reacting. It is estimated that the food industry is using 50 TIMES what it was using 55 years ago, when MSG was first introduced into the United States in 1948. And, the use of MSG continues to grow at an alarming rate. Wow! With the symptoms MSG can cause after eating food containing MSG, how do you avoid it? Well, that's not as easy as it sounds. If pure MSG is added, it states MSG. However, if MSG is in a substance that is used as an ingredient, it does NOT have to state "MSG" on the label. So beware! MSG is used in a lot of ingredients used in prepared foods. But, the label may not clearly state MSG. These MSG-containing compounds are often called "aliases", as someone reading the label on a particular substance would have no idea they are about to consume MSG. So, even many products purchased in health food stores, can inadvertently contain MSG. At the end of this article is a list of "aliases", ingredients to avoid if you want to avoid ingesting MSG. Foods definitely containing MSG include: Hydrolzyed Protein; Sodium Casseinate or Calcium Casseinate; Autolyzed Yeast or Yeast Extract; Gelatin. Foods that are possible sources of MSG include: Bouillon, Broth or Stock; Barley Malt, Malt Extract, Malt Flavoring; Soy Protein, Soy Protein Isolate or Concentrate; Soy Sauce or Extract; Textured Protein; Carrageenon or Vegetable Gum; Seasonings or Spices; Flavorings or Natural Flavorings. For more information on the dangers of MSG, see the following: www.msgtruth.org mail@msgtruth.org www.msgmyth.com avenger@msgmyth.com 509-735-3397 Truth in Labeling Campaign PO Box 2532 Darien, IL 60561 858-481-9333 adandjack@aol.com Book: "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills" by Russell L. Blaylock, MD, ISBN 0-929173-25-2 www.russellblaylockmd.com    A COMMON "MSG ALIAS LIST" If you are sensitive to MSG, it helps to have a more thorough understanding of the ingredient list of a product can alert you to the content of MSG (they don't have to label it MSG if it is part of a compound). Gelatin: The production process of creating Gelatin will naturally create varying amounts of MSG. Carrageenan: Can have pure MSG or hydrolyzed milk protein added to it, and then it is merely labeled as "carrageenan". This substance naturally contains no protein and is used for the slimy or smooth feel in food items. Maltodextrin: This is a hydrolyzed corn product. There is a possibility that it is either contaminated with MSG in its manufacture process, or that MSG is added to it. Hydrolyzed Protein: This applies to any hydrolyzed protein, be it animal, plant or milk protein (also called caseinate). Not only does it have a small amount of MSG created naturally in the chemical process, but manufacturers may also add pure MSG without designating so on the label. Used primarily for flavoring, but occasionally to increase the protein content (especially in meats). Autolyzed Yeast: Yeast is put through the chemical process of autolysis which releases MSG, similar to hydrolysis. In addition, pure MSG may be added without designating so on the label. Used for flavoring. Yeast Extract: Similar to Autolyzed Yeast. Natural Flavors (Flavoring): Both autolyzed yeast and hydrolyzed protein are permitted to be labeled under this category. Not all labels stating natural flavors mean that MSG-containing substances have been used. The consumer must proceed at her/his own risk. Barley Malt/Malt Extract: May contain small amounts of MSG resulting from an enzyme reaction. Sodium Caseinate: The sodium salt of a hydrolyzed milk protein. Will contain MSG. This may also be found in milk powder and milk solids. Calcium Caseinate: The calcium portion of a hydrolyzed milk protein. Will contain MSG. This may also be found in the milk powder of milk solids. Virtually all broth, bouillon and flavors (i.e., turkey flavor) will contain MSG in some fashion. Whey Protein Concentrate/Protein Isolate: Many contain MSG in the form of hydrolyzed milk proteins, while some claim to be free from MSG. It is advised avoiding all sources of whey protein, if you want to avoid MSG. Spices/Seasonings: FDA regulations do not allow pure MSG to be put under this label designation, while the USDA does (particularly in sausage seasonings). Occasionally spice blends are used that contain MSG. Kombu Extract: MSG extracted from Kombu seaweed (one of the first methods of MSG production). Ajinomoto: Trade name of the Japanese product and manufacturer of MSG. Textured Protein: Produced for flavoring uses from soy products, including soy protein isolate and/or soy protein concentrate. May contain MSG. Soy Protein Isolate/Soy Protein Concentrate: Ingredients derived from soy that may contain some MSG. Used primarily for flavoring and increasing protein content. Smoke Flavor: May contain added hydrolyzed proteins to increase flavor. Use cautiously. Dough Conditioners: Contain excitotoxic neurotransmitters such as L-Cysteine, although not necessarily MSG. Disodium Guanylate/Disodium Inosinate: Flavor potentiators most commonly used in conjunction with an ingredient containing MSG. Soy Sauce: Produced, in part, by fermentation of soy protein, so will contain MSG. Some lower priced soy sauces are made with hydrolyzed proteins, carmel coloring, salt and water. Diary Products: Some milks such as skim milk or protein fortified milk sometimes contain caseinate. Most sour creams and creams (including half-and-half) contain carrageenan or caseinate. Margarines and butters are difficult because of the "standard of identity" rules allowing manufacturers to add ingredients without labeling. Some cheeses also can cause reactions in those sensitive to MSG. Meats: Some extra-lean ground beef is adulterated with carrageenan. In addition reports indicate MSG-sensitive reactions to pork and chicken, probably due to injections or rising agents used on the meat and poultry.