Peroxide, who knew?

I got this sent to me the other day and thought that some of these could be really useful...

(Peroxide: Safer and healthier than bleach)
This was written by a a doctor's wife from Indiana
and this is what she says...
I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store.
My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? No!! Why?
Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better!
Did you also know bleach was invented in the late forties? It's chlorine, folks! It was used to kill our troops in World War II.
Peroxide came into popular use during and after WWI. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals.
Please think about this......

1. Take one capful and hold in your mouth for ten minutes daily, then spit it out. No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. (Wouldn't it be nice if restaurants would do this?)

4. After rinsing your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue. (really good one!)

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change. (hmmm!)

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. Add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. Use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this. I could go on and on. It is in a dark bottle so it will not be degraded by UV. No home should be without it! With prices of most necessities rising, here's a way to save tons of money in a simple, healthy manner!
*INFORMATION DEEMED RELIABLE BUT NOT GUARANTEED*

Community Supported Agriculture ~ CSA!

If you don't have the time to start up your own veggie garden, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
is a great alternative.
What is CSA?
A CSA is like a co-op, where you pay to become a member and once a week pick up your share of the latest harvested produce.

Pros
1) Knowing the origins of what you put in your body.
When you support your local CSA you know exactly where your food is coming from. Did you know that in the U.S. food travels an average of 1,500 MILES from crop to kitchen?! That's roughly the distance between California and Oklahoma. Transportation of produce in the U.S. accounts for 925 BILLION POUNDS of carbon dioxide emissions each year! Wow. I'd say that by the time we are cooking up our produce, it’s no longer what you'd call "fresh." And for those who have forgotten, the taste of an apple, strawberry, or green bean is SO much sweeter & full bodied when freshly picked.

2) Eating what’s in season.
By joining a CSA you eat what is in season. You know that what is about to go in your stomach is fresh and has not been artificially altered to grow out of its natural season.

3) It’s better for the environment.
As stated in Delicious Living magazine, "organic farming has the potential to use one-third fewer fossil fuels than conventional farming." Organic farming also helps create an increase in soil carbon (=healthy soil).

The more you research organic farming the more environmental and health benefits you will find, but I think that the true benefit is the intrinsic feeling one gets from knowing they are doing something for themselves that is healthier. And when you are eating a plate full of fresh greens, it just feels good.

It’s not always easy switching to a CSA though.

Cons
1) How in the heck do you cook that?
Joining a CSA may take some getting used to, if for no other reason than that you typically don't get to choose the produce you buy. Instead you get what has most recently been harvested. You’ll likely find yourself standing in your kitchen one evening with a few heads of various leafy greens or other veggies that look more like some sort of alien incarnation rather than something you would eat. (My first experience in a CSA I wound up in my kitchen with over a pound of kohlrabi. Kohlrabi??? With a little creativity and perseverance I soon discovered that it makes great pancakes). The coolest part about not getting to choose what produce you purchase is that it broadens your diet (in a healthy way of course) and for those of us that like to cook…well here is your opportunity! So get out there and support your local CSA while eating healthier all at the same time.

2) The Expense
You will find that joining a CSA can be a little pricier than if you were to just keep shopping for your veggies at your local supermarket.


CSA in Santa Barbara:
Fairview Gardens
Other organic farms:
Ebby's Organic Farm
Lane Farms

*Sources:
Cool Foods Campaign
USDA Agricultire Fact Book
photo courtesy of the Fairview Gardens