Spring Hill Farms

“China has been very interested and very aggressive trying to get into the United States,....“And they have the resources to do it.” - Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley

With the recent announcement of the Smithfield-Shuanghui merger much speculation has been circulating around the internet of late.

I've been busy farming and not paying more than a sideways glance at world events compared to my normal research. However, I thought it was time to give my thoughts on the merger as well.

A look around the 'net seems to indicate that the official word from both companies is the merger is more about China needing more pork products rather than China having an interest in selling pork into the U.S.

That makes sense as China has a population that is growing at a staggering rate. Couple that with the fact that the Chinese have always been heavy pork eaters and you can see how that would be the case.

I wonder if that means a whole bunch of piggies will be headed that way instead of to U.S. grocery stores? 

One argument could be that means big-ag farmers are gonna have to ramp up production to meet the demand...and that means more profitable U.S. pig farmers.

Since the majority of those type farm operations are under the thumb of huge companies such as Smithfield I suspect they will get a whole bunch more work and little bit more money. While Mr. Big company gets richer.

That's been the trend since we started down the road of vertical integration of our farm operations. Don't get me wrong...It's a free market. They have the right to operate that way, but it seems like it will continue to make a problem into a bigger problem.

I definitely can see retail pork prices going up over the long haul as more pork gets shipped to China.

And another snippet I found interesting...

"The Chinese also stand to benefit from the merger because of the country’s problems with food safety and sanitation. The U.S. pork industry has a longstanding reputation for food safety, sanitation and environmental integrity." - Hoosier Ag Today

Did that say environmental integrity? From what I can tell the environmental integrity of the huge factory hog farms in the United States is in shambles.

I find it hard to believe that someone would utter the words environmental integrity and industrial hog farming in the same sentence. Maybe compared to the Chinese it looks like integrity, but they're not the latest award winners of environmental stewardship last time I checked.

However, I believe that, as Joseph Goebbels was reputedly said to state, repeat a lie often enough and it is believed to be the truth.

Until Next time...
Spring Hill Farms

Here's a few links to ponder. Do we really want more factory hog farms in America?

PBS Video of North Carolina Hog Farms

Large hog farms emit hydrogen sulfide, a gas that most often causes flu-like symptoms in humans, but at high concentrations can lead to brain damage. In 1998, the National Institute of Health reported that 19 people died as a result of hydrogen sulfide emissions from manure pits. [more]

“The hog farming industry in North Carolina continues to use our waterways and lands as a garbage dump, and the Taylor facility is yet another example of this reckless behavior,” said Gary Grant, director of the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving North Carolina waterways. “The clear violation of the law and disregard for the local community needs to be addressed, and the lack of any agency action has convinced us that a citizen suit is the only way we can stop this behavior.” Read more here:

Google (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })();

Hickory Smoked Bacon

Bring Home the Bacon

Then why do so many health experts condemn bacon and other cured meats because of their nitrite content? Well, why do fats and cholesterol still get a bum rap?

The reason is bad studies and worse publicity, with the latest shoddy work out of Harvard a prime example. According to Dr. Bryan, the body of studies show only a "weak association" with evidence that is "inconclusive." As he and his colleagues wrote in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, "This paradigm needs revisiting in the face of undisputed health benefits of nitrite- and nitrate-enriched diets." So what's the last word on America's favorite meat? Indulge bacon lust freely, know that the science is catching up, the media lags behind, and, our ancestors most likely got it right.

Until next time...

Spring Hill Farms

(function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); Google

Practically every industrialized country in the world has demanded that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) be labeled if they are in your food. Many countries don't even allow them in the country. China has refused our GMO corn more than once.

The United States government has steadfastly refused to address the issue. The great thing about America? We can demand our rights be honored at the ballet box.

That is exactly what's going on California this November with Prop 37. It is a measure to require food companies to disclose if they have used genetically modified ingredients in their products.

Of course the biotech companies know if food companies have to disclose this many people will choose not to buy the product.

They claim such things as it will drive the cost of food up and other scare tactics. They have outspent the supporters of Prop 37 by millions of dollars.

To me it's no different than food companies placing the ingredients on the label and won't cost anymore either.

Imagine if food companies didn't have to list High Fructose Corn syrup or MSG on the label.

This is no different.

If you are not familiar with the facts about GMO's go to Institute for Responsible Technology website and learn more...your health depends on it.

Prop 37 could very well be the "straw that broke the camels back" this election year. Other states could soon follow suite and we would know what's in our food.

Until next time....

Spring Hill Farms

Google (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })();

I have a really nice Tamworth Boar here at Spring Hill Farms. I let him run loose and he does what boars do…..he finds sows and makes babies!

He relies on his sight, hearing, and sense of smell to locate sows that are ready for his advances. His sense of smell must be really good because he finds sows down the road on other farms and makes babies there too!

My neighbor hates Tamworth pigs. He has worked for years to develop what he calls a nice line of Hampshire pigs.

For some reason he thinks my boar coming down and making Tamworth x Hampshire piglets is an intrusion. He doesn't want my genetics contaminating the genetics he's developing. He has went as far as saying my boar is trespassing! Hey I try to contain him but I can't control the wind for crying out loud.

I think he should admit he's using my genetics (which are clearly superior) and give me the pigs. If he breeds those babies my boar made he has stolen my genetics. Unless he wants to pay me what I say those genetic are worth.

Even if we can't come to an agreement he should at least admit that it's not posing a threat to the local environment or human health.

Hey this is America. Free enterprise allows me to let my boar run loose and spread his genetics.

How do you like my story so far?

I bet you're thinking I've lost my mind!

You see that's exactly what's happening with genetically modified (GMO) corn. We are in real danger of it contaminating the entire corn crop in the United States.

Did you know traces of GMO contamination has been found in Mexico's native corn varieties?

If  companies want to develop GMO crops that's fine. Keep them in a hermetically sealed environment that guarantees it won't contaminate other folk's crops who don't want it, don't believe it is safe, and certainly don't want to eat it knowingly.

It's time to educate ourselves about genetic engineering. Take some time and do the research, find out what's really going and make an educated decision. Practically every other developed country in the world has done just that, and they said 'no thanks.'

Until next time…  

Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done. - Calvin E. Stowe

I think many times we complicate things up so much it makes it hard to figure out what the right thing is to do.

Take the case of Whole Foods. If you take a cruise down a few of their aisles you can't help but notice that slowly over time they have moved away from their core philosophy a bit.

Garlic from China beside the "local garlic." Grass fed, local beef from Georgia and the list goes on and on.

However now we see that around 20 to 30 percent of the products on their shelves contain genetically modified organisms (GMO). If that's not bad enough, depending on who you ask in the store, you may be told nothing in a Whole Foods store contains GMO's.

But the most telling of all is the fact that despite showing $10,107,787 in revenue as of September 2011 they have never given one dime to Proposition 37. The measure in California that would require labeling on any food product made using genetically modified organisms.

Labeling foods that contain GMO's is a common sense issue. It's not nearly as complex as folks want to make it. Simply tell me what's in my food and let me decide if I want to consume it.

Practically the rest of the world has come to this decision. It's time for the United States of America to follow suite.

Let's use some common sense thinking - Why would a company like Whole Foods who spends the bulk of their advertising dollars promoting Organic, local, healthy, natural etc. be silent on proposition 37 and the labeling of GMO laden foods?

Looks like the classic bait and switch to me, but you decide for yourself.

Until next time...

(Update: Whole Foods has posted a response to this video on their website including their position on Prop 37)

Google (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })();

Farmers markets are exploding on the scene across the United States. That means more vendors looking for ways to leverage the "eat local" movement even if their meats aren't local or even from a small farm.

A quick look at a listing of farmers markets in my state shows several meat processing plants listed as vendors. I'm not trying to infer that they shouldn't be allowed to participate in farmers markets. I am saying, as with any vendor you purchase from, you should engage in a conversation about where the animals are raised and how they are raised.

For instance the statement of "all our meats are locally raised" could simply mean somewhere in the state.

Some good questions to ask any meat vendor:

Do you raise the livestock yourself?

If not, do you know the farmer who did?

Do you purchase animals from sale barns to slaughter?

How confident are you that your meats are hormone and antibiotic free?

For beef - Is this 100% grass fed and finished or has it been fed grain?

These are the type of questions any farmer who raises livestock will be happy to answer. In fact most welcome these types of questions because it shows that you are looking for a certain style of animal husbandry and methods of production.

My point in all this is not to build a case about dishonest vendors.

My point is don't assume that because you are standing at farmers market every product there is locally raised by a small farmer. Ask questions.

The demand for locally farm raised beef, pork, and chicken as well as other meats such as lamb, goat, rabbits etc is on the rise. That means meat vendors of every stripe are looking for ways to gain access to farmers markets.

Some markets will allow them to sell their products and some won't.

Make sure you know what you're getting.

Until next time...
Spring Hill Farms

I have long been a proponent of voicing your opinion to government any chance you get. But for this issue there is a fast track to change.

Vote with your dollars.

According to a USA Today article, three plants producing pink slime have permanently shut down. While I feel sorry for the folks who lost their source of income, I rejoice that the demand for pink slime has fallen like a stone since it first went public a few weeks ago.

This is a prime example of what can be done to change the way food is grown, processed, labeled etc.

It's very simple: Companies don't produce what they can't sell.

I found it typical that the company producing pink slime has adopted the stance that they have got an unfair rap and people are misinformed about pink slime.

My opinion -Folks were informed of what is going on and said "no thanks" with their dollars.

This could happen to any company, good or bad.

The key to stopping it from happening- Transparency. Let people see behind the curtain and judge for themselves if they want to do business with you.

We saw behind the pink slime curtain and opted out.

You can bet other companies have been watching nervously as the pink slime story has unfolded wondering if they are next.

You will see more dollars spent on public relations as big agriculture and food companies work to convince the public they are on "our side."

Stop out and see your local farmers. Buy as much of your food from them as you can. 

Until next time....

Spring Hill Farms

PS - Help force the issue on labeling genetically modified organisms in our foods. How? Go to the Institute for Responsible Technology and learn how you can vote with your dollars.

My children are almost never sick. They usually end up at the Doctor's office because they hurt themselves doing something they probably shouldn't have been doing.

My wife and I have taught them the value of cleanliness and good personal hygiene but we don't rush them to the house every time they get their hands dirty on the farm.

I have embraced the same philosophy on immunity with my family as I do the stock on the farm.

Work to keep your immune system strong and when it encounters something foreign it can "learn from it" and recognize it in the future.

Keeping your immune system healthy is a subject all in itself but here's my top three ways to accomplish such a lofty goal.

1) Reduce your sugar/fructose intake to less than 25 grams per day.

2) Eat off the farm - unprocessed pure foods - good bacteria.

3) Get enough sleep and manage stress levels.

If you work on these three alone you'll be surprised at how much better you feel and how much sickness you can avoid.

I read an article that talked about Amish kids being less likely to have allergies than mainstream kids. See the article here:

Amish farm kids remarkably immune to allergies: study

I can believe it and although the study they referred to said it needed more research to see just what was the cause I figure it's pretty easy if you look at it simplistically.

Amish kids are working on the farm at a young age. They are eating a lot of farm food and not nearly as much processed foods. Which could mean they are not eating as many GMO foods.

Many of them are drinking raw milk as soon they are weaned from mom.

Contrast that with a child in front of T.V. or game system with no where to go but out in a yard with maybe a dog and it gets tough to test your immune system as thoroughly as someone on a farm introduced to all the little microbes (good and bad) that can be found there.

I kinda changed the old saying to...My kids are as healthy as hog!

Get your kids out and let them get dirty this summer. Take them to visit a farm, go camping, hiking, something. It'll do your immune system some good and your soul too!

Until next time....

Just when you thought that the gigantic meat packers were "walking the straight and narrow" over the pink slime controversy, now we discover your steak just might be glued together out of several different pieces of meat.

California senator Ted W. Lieu has called for an investigation into the practice of using meat glue to patch pieces of meat together to make one piece. Officially, it’s known as transglutaminase, an enzyme in powder form that brings protein closer together – permanently.

What will be next?

For me the take away from all these "new discoveries" is it seems the foundational belief of big meat packers and Big Ag is this:

How can we do this cheaper first and foremost then we'll look at safety, quality, and all the other parameters.

I am all for reducing costs and making your business profitable. But let me know the ways you accomplish that and let me make the decision as to whether I want to do business with you.

No I'm not talking about supplying your customers with a business plan.

I'm talking about good old fashioned honesty and hey here's an idea; How about putting on the label what you've done to product.

I don't know about you but If I picked up a steak and said it contained transglutaminase you can bet I'd be Googling up what the heck it was and why is it in my steak!

You know it won't say on the label "we glued this piece of meat together."

Don't worry though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deems it to be safe – “generally.”

We don't glue anything together here at Spring Hill Farms. Heck we use baler twine more than anything around here to make several pieces of something into one. You would notice that on your steak...just sayin'

Until next time....

The mantra of the big food and agriculture companies is how can we produce more for less?

The bottom line with pink slime in ground beef is dollars.

Not quality, not health, dollars.

This is a prime example of where we are at in the world of mass produced food.

What used to be relegated to pet food is now good enough for human consumption. Not that I'm thrilled with Fido getting a dose of pink slime either, but hey better him than me!

I have preached the "know where your food comes from and know what's in it" for a long time so it thrills me when main stream news media busts out a story like pink slime in ground beef. Only because so many more people are exposed again to the fact that agencies like the USDA, FDa and some others aren't really looking out for you like you hoped they were. You will have to take the responsibility into your own hands and find clean food for yourself.

McDonalds, Burger King and Taco Bell have all announced they don't use it anymore...GREAT. To me that's like saying we used to think it was OK to feed you pink slime but since you found out about it we'll stop.

Ground beef with pink slime added as a filler has a greater chance of e coli and so it is washed with ammonia. No thanks I'll pass.

Here at Spring Hill Farms we don't add anything to our ground beef. Not pink slime, not meat glue (heard about that one?) or anything else that you wouldn't want in your food.

Our mantra is clean, quality, healthy food first. Then and only then, we'll see what it costs to produce it.

Until next time...

Dr. Mercola has once again brought to light another controversial look at what is driving the "Gentically Modified Foods Can Save the World" agenda.

My opinion is much like his in that the research I have looked at isn't based on sound science. Just the fact that there is major resistance from pro GMO companies to label foods containing Genetically modified organisms makes it clear they know the general public would opt out of eating them if they knew they were in so many foods in the grocery store.

 It's a clear case of if we don't know what we are eating everything is fine. It's sort of like saying as long as food kills you slowly over time what's the big deal?

 Read Dr. Mercola's article here

The cost of food continues to rise. If you didn't realize it, you either don't do the grocery shopping, or you haven't ask the person who does!

You can do a search on the 'net and find all kinds of numbers indicating how much food products have gone up and what others believe they will do in the future.

  The viewpoint I liked was from Lynn Carpenter she believes "We have been enjoying a 60-year trend of low food prices that is crashing to an abrupt end this very year."

Lynn says (and I agree) the government numbers released, and what I see at the grocery store never seem to match up. She recommends figuring out how many hours you must work each week to pay for food.

She did some serious research and came up with some very interesting numbers! You can read it all here.

But all that aside if you go to the store a few times you get an idea of what it costs to eat and you suddenly feel a bit of gnawing worry. Now the mistake you might make is to leave the grocery store, get the groceries put away, and dismiss the gnawing worry telling yourself "it'll all work out somehow."

Don't fall into that mindset!

Nothing just "works itself out" and if it does, it is seldom in your favor.

Planting a garden is a proactive way to cut your food bill and improve your overall health.

Feeling overwhelmed when you think ofgardening?

Start Small

One of the best ways to get started growing your own food is to start small. Plant a few tomato plants and some bell peppers along the house.Make a garden four feet by eight feet. Make raised beds etc.

I love High Density Gardening by Ric Wiley. Gardening is work no matter how you cut it but you can reduce the workload and space needed by using Ric's methods.

He covers everything from A to Z in this ebook.

• How to plan your High Density Garden in order that you can maximize the quantity of crops you can grow
• How to build a High Density Gardening bed
• How to propagate seeds
• Home made compost. How to make it quickly.
• Much more

I'm a lover of ebooks because you can be reading them five minutes after you decide to purchase them! Which might be why I spend so much at Amazon on my Kindle.

Take a look at High Density Gardening and download a copy and get started planning now. It takes some planning, money and effort to harvest a successful garden.

But it is worth it!

Imagine your very own lush, green, vibrant garden this spring. Can't you taste the garden fresh tomato's, beans, onions, peppers, cucumbers, water melons, peas, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet corn, cabbage, you get the point……

until next time!

The consumption of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) has been on the rise for several years now.

If you get in the habit of reading labels you see it in everything from bread to ketchup.  Why? Because it's the cheapest way to replace sugar or other sweeteners in a recipe.

 I ask myself all the time why we need sugar in so many things but the truth is American's consume so much sugar on a daily basis that they are desensitized to the taste. They think things don't taste right without sweeteners of some kind.

 Add to that, the increasing evidence that these sweeteners can be addicting and we see why the industrial food system relies so heavily on High Fructose Corn Syrup.

It actually tricks your body into creating and storing excess fat.

Check out this article and see a good strategy to eliminate it and lose the weight you've been trying to lose.

[More]

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

One of the many reasons I oppose the use of genetically modified corn is one of the modified traits is to make it resistant to pesticides.

To me it only stands to reason that if you know the poison won't kill your corn you would be more apt to use plenty enough to kill the weeds.

If you end up with some weed pressure when the corn is up high but still able to drag a boom sprayer through it, why not spray poison again? After all it can't kill the corn plants they are genetically resistant. And if you're the seed modifier why not make the seed resistant to the poison you sell?

Great ideas from strictly a marketing standpoint.

But common sense tells me I don't want to eat food that has been hosed down with pesticides maybe more than once.

The latest: Monsanto’s new GMO corn, intended for the frozen and/or canned corn market. This experimental corn will not be labeled, so consumers cannot know when they may be eating a GMO food that contains a toxic pesticide in every bite

Let the food giants know you don't want to eat pesticide laden corn.
Go to The Center For Food Safety and click the "Take Action" button.

till next time...

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

Tamworth Pigs on Pasture

I have several breakfast selections I rotate through depending on what I feel like eating, how much time I have, etc.

This morning I elected to fry my eggs. The bulk of the pastured eggs I consume are raw. You hear all kinds of things about eating eggs raw and in another article I'll discuss why I eat raw eggs, but for today let's look at using pig lard as a ingredient in your everyday cooking. Like frying eggs.

I dropped about a half a tablespoon or more lard from our pastured pork into the skillet and in a couple minutes I was eating two eggs with real cheese and no bread. I have practically eliminated bread from my diet. Not completely, as I love whole wheat bread, but it happens to be one of the things that adds inches to my waistline so I keep my urge to eat a loaf at a time subdued.

Lard, like most animal fats, have gotten a bad wrap for many years now. I still marvel at the effectiveness of the "low fat" advertising mantra. Today there is so much confusion about fats and oils that many people are sabotaging their health while believing they are doing the right thing.

In 1956, an American Heart Association (AHA) fund-raiser aired on all three major networks. The MC interviewed, among others, Irving Page and Jeremiah Stamler of the AHA, and researcher Ancel Keys. Panelists presented the lipid hypothesis as the cause of the heart disease epidemic and launched the Prudent Diet, one in which corn oil, margarine, chicken and cold cereal replaced butter, lard, beef and eggs. But the television campaign was not an unqualified success because one of the panelists, Dr. Dudley White, disputed his colleagues at the AHA. Dr. White noted that heart disease in the form of myocardial infarction was nonexistent in 1900 when egg consumption was three times what it was in 1956 and when corn oil was unavailable. When pressed to support the Prudent Diet, Dr. White replied: "See here, I began my practice as a cardiologist in 1921 and I never saw an MI patent until 1928. Back in the MI free days before 1920, the fats were butter and lard and I think that we would all benefit from the kind of diet that we had at a time when no one had ever heard the word corn oil."

 So what type of fat is lard?

According to Mary Enig, author of Know Your Fats, lard is about 40 percent saturated, 50 percent monounsaturated, and contains 10 percent polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is also one of our richest dietary sources of vitamin D.

(Research is showing vitamin D to be one of the foundational vitamins to good health.)

Foods containing trans fat sell because the American public is afraid of the alternative—saturated fats found in tallow, lard, butter, palm and coconut oil, fats traditionally used for frying and baking. Yet the scientific literature delineates a number of vital roles for dietary saturated fats—they enhance the immune system,are necessary for healthy bones,provide energy and structural integrity to the cells, protect the liverand enhance the body's use of essential fatty acids. Stearic acid, found in beef tallow and butter, has cholesterol lowering properties and is a preferred food for the heart. As saturated fats are stable, they do not become rancid easily, do not call upon the body's reserves of antioxidants, do not initiate cancer, do not irritate the artery walls.

We have always used lard here at Spring Hill Farms. A growing number of customers are requesting it. At this point the best we can do is give them the actual fat so they can make lard for themselves.

It's a simple process and can be done on the stove in smaller amounts.

If you would be interested in purchasing lard from us let me know. If the demand is large enough perhaps we will add it to our products.

You can buy lard at some grocery stores, but it can have hydrogenated lard it, BHT, Propyl Gallate, and Citric Acid.

You can bet the pig it was made from wasn't on pasture and worse yet probably fed all kinds of things to practically negate the benefits of the lard.

 Keep your eye out we may have a lard rendering here at the house this fall so you can try some for yourself.

 If you're thinking there is no way you are eating animal fats because they aren't healthy for you. I urge to do some research and see for yourself. A good place to start is The Oiling of America.

Until Next Time...

Eating fresh, local foods is the foundation to health and longevity but is it enough?

If you have enough discipline to never eat processed foods and have done so for most of your life maybe it would be, but most people I know don't fall into that category!

I'm not a big proponent of nutritional supplements but I do think there is a place for them.

The key word is supplement. They should supplement an already good diet to help maintain good health.

Another good use of nutritional supplements is to help you overcome a health issue you may be facing and diet alone isn't getting the results you need to feel better.

Enter - Astaxanthin, the one supplement I believe no one should be without.

The list of benefits from taking Astaxanthin is growing by the day.

There may be no other single natural substance that performs so many beneficial biochemical functions as this little-known carotenoid. Its scope is truly amazing. Here are just some of the ways astaxanthin can positively impact your health, according to the latest research:

*The following was taken from Dr Mercola's Site read the full article here.

• Boosting immune function
• Improving cardiovascular health by reducing C-Reactive Proteins (CRP), reducing triglycerides, and increasing beneficial HDL
• GREATLY protecting your eyes from cataracts, macular degeneration, and blindness (which I will discuss at length below)
• Protecting your brain from dementia and Alzheimer's
• Reducing your risk for many types of cancer (including cancers of the breast, colon, bladder and mouth) by stimulating apoptosis (cancer cell death) and inhibiting lipid peroxidation
• Improving recovery from spinal cord and other central nervous system injuries
• Reducing inflammation from all causes, including arthritis and asthma
• Improving endurance, workout performance and recovery
• Helping to stabilize blood sugar, thereby protecting your kidneys
• Relieving indigestion and reflux
• Improving fertility by increasing sperm strength and sperm count
• Actually helping to prevent sunburn, and protecting you from the damaging effects of radiation (i.e., flying in airplanes, x-rays, CT scans, etc.)
• Reducing oxidative damage to your DNA
• Reducing symptoms from pancreatitis, multiple sclerosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and Lou Gehrig's disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.

I started taking Astaxanthin because I was suffering from severe lower back pain for almost 3 years. I tried everything chiropractors, stretching, exercise, other supplements, nothing got me complete relief. 

After just 3 weeks of taking Astaxanthin my back pain was totally gone! It has changed my life. No more asking my wife to help me get my shoes on, no more sleepless nights, no more constant pain...I was a new man!

Another benefit I noticed is it is a great natural sunscreen! Contrary to what most dermatologists say, I believe sunshine is good for you.

You don't want to get sunburned but we need sunshine to optimize our vitamin D levels. The research is proving this and most all suncreens you buy in store actaully contain carcinegenics.

I take 8 mg a day and it seems to be enough. If you're going to be in the sun continuously for a long period I would think you may need to take more through the day. Dr. Mercola sells a great natural sunscreen on his site if you are prone to burning.

Dr Mercola has blogged extensively on Astaxanthin. I would urge you to see for yourself if you want all the technical information.

I have had so many friends and family ask me about Astaxanthin that I promised them I would blog about it so they know where to get it.

You can purchase here and receive $5 off your first order! I signed up for their rewards program and receive credits toward my purchases when you purchase products.

Over the next few blogs I'll delve deeper into exactly what I do everyday to maintain optimal health.

My breakfast every morning, foods I refuse to eat, the best dirt for health, all kinds of fun stuff!

Until next time....

PS -Let me know how Astaxanthin improves your life!

 I started raising Oberhasli dairy goats last year as a way to supply my family with fresh, grass fed, raw milk.

We have many customers who asked about milk and we have to tell them that the ODA and FDA consider it a crime to sell raw milk.

 

 Many times people are shocked that a farmer is seriously restricted as to what and how they can sell off the farm and it keeps getting worse.

 I believe the raw milk controversy is the fore runner to defining our food rights as American consumers. Even if you have no interest in raw milk (which is a wonderful health food), ask yourself if you want to be told you can no longer buy eggs off the farm that are ungraded. Or, produce has to be inspected to insure it is safe so no on farm sales of produce either.

 A large percentage of these laws and regulations are sponsored and pushed by big business to eliminate the competition and maintain the illusion that only food from the "established system" is safe to eat.

Check out Dr Mercola's latest post about Ron Paul standing up and saying enough! [more]

I have long been a proponent of crops that are not genetically modified in any way. Regardless of whether you might think GM crops are good or bad, the undeniable fact is they are contaminating organic farmer's crops at an alarming rate. Their is no way to contain them.

 If I have bull and refuse to contain him so he ends up at the neighbors farm "imparting his genetics" to the neighbors cows we are going to have trouble!

 Just as a farmer must keep his bull, boar, buck, or stud on the farm and contained, so should these seed companies (and farmers) keep their genetics contained or be shut down. 

 We have no way to refuse GM pollen and so end up with genetics we didn't ask for.

 It's time to send a clear message to GM seed companies...YOU ARE BEING IRRESPONSIBLE TO THE ENTIRE WORLD.

Here's an excellent article on the subject [more]