I thought I’d give a little living foods recap of what’s been going on here lately. First off, I truly love eating this way! It’s been 6 mos (75% raw in Jan. then 90-100% raw since then). I feel better, look better, have more energy and sleep better, too. My vision and hearing are great and my sense of smell is more acute as well. I’m also in a good mood most of the time, too.

I’ve noticed so many things shifting in my body including my tastebuds. Foods I used to not like no matter how many times I’ve tried eating them over the years I suddenly crave. Like olives. I used to pick them off my veggie pizza or out of my greek salads and my husband thought I was nuts - he loves olives. I like olive oil in dressings, to cook with or as a marinade but could not stand eating them or the taste of a whole olive. A few weeks ago, I kept getting this feeling that I wanted to eat olives. You could imagine my surprise over this weird and new craving. There is a store near me (a few, actually) that sell all different kinds of gourmet olives so I went and sampled and was so into it! I bought a whole pound of regular Kalamata and another of oil cured black olives, too. I told my husband - who is astounded by the way - that he has to get his own and not eat mine. It’s almost how I felt when I was pregnant and craving meat - I had to have it and I didn’t want to share it. Now that I know I like them, I am going to buy some "sun cured" olives that raw food online stores carry to try those out.

What is interesting about listening to your body is that when it’s healing as mine is doing, it will tell you what you need for your next step in the healing process. For example, I love mangos. Last year when I was eating an organic,clean omnivore diet, I couldn’t get enough but would limit myself to one a day if I bought some (too much sugar for me I thought then). I have a hormone disorder and insulin resistance and don’t ever want to overdo any types of sugar or else I feel like crap and only want to go to sleep. When I went raw this year, I let myself eat mangos whenever I wanted. Some days that would be 3 throughout the day some days nothing. I felt ok, too. I did some research and there is something in mangos that helps to heal the pancreas and assists the body in getting rid of insulin resistance (and diabetes, too). I don’t ever crave mangos anymore, not for a few months now. I have not been tested but I’m sure my insulin resistance is gone. I still eat mangos or put them in my smoothies if they are on sale and I pick some up. I don’t think about them anymore like the way I did.

I looked up some info on olives and they are high in minerals (but I’ve got that covered with all the greens I eat) and they also help to dissolve mucus in the body. That’s interesting to me - my hormone disorder causes small cysts to form in my reproductive area and cysts are formed out of mucus. Also dairy is very mucus forming and having been off that for 6 months now (and I only ate that in very small amounts anyway), I’m sure I’m still clearing that out, too.

I tell ya, the body is one amazing machine and you never really know the depths of it’s intelligence until you feed it what it truly wants - real living foods. It’s so simple but we’ve adulterated our food and our tastebuds for so long, generations, really that getting back to the basics of pure, simple foods is a very eye-opening experience for me especially with healing my body naturally with the plant world. Sure herbs work but only to a certain extent for some health issues (and I really know this from my own experience and from other people’s experiences working with them as an Herbalist). The changing of one’s diet is the real cornerstone for true, complete healing. Everything else is secondary, IMO.

Besides that, I’ve been (un)cooking up a storm! I love to cook so I knew I was going to commit to doing this and bought a couple additional pieces of kitchen equipment that I didn’t have back in January to make this process go smoothly and I’m so glad I did. It was money well spent because I use all of my equipment if not everyday then every week.

I also got myself 2 new cookbooks recently - each one written by a raw chef that owns a successful restaurant in their cities. Oh my God is all I can say over these recipes. They are gorgeous. I’ve been having so much fun whipping new creations up from the books and because it’s hot out I’ve been craving mostly salad type of recipes - even just fresh, green salads straight from my garden with different, amazing dressings I’ve been making (I made a fresh ginger-miso dressing yesterday, so delish). And incredible desserts, can’t forget the desserts! Yum!

Raw, living foods are not only delicious and good for you - even the rich desserts - they are pretty to look at. I want to buy all new plates to show off the food more because many dishes are so pretty and vibrant looking. I think I’m addicted - I want to be a raw chef now!

These recipe books I just bought are a bit more advanced and do require at least some of the equipment used every day. If you want to start out on adding more living foods dishes to your diet, I really recommend getting a good food processor and if possible, a high speed blender. Makes a world of difference and I use them everyday. A great temperature controlled dehydrator is key for so many other recipes including crackers, pizza crusts, warming food up out of the fridge, making cookies, granola, etc. I find it invaluable but if you are just starting out, you can focus on the quick, no dehydrating recipes first. Even sprouting seeds or grains is pretty easy and fun to add to things. A juicer that can juice not only veggies and fruits but also wheatgrass and have the homogenizing plate to make nut butters and ice creams, etc is also used a lot in my house.

We used to go out to dinner more but since I’ve gone raw, I’d rather make gourmet living food at home and go out and do other things (like see live music!). My local city does have a couple of restaurants that feature raw food entrees on their menu but I figure the money we saved by not going out to eat has more than paid for the equipment I bought back in January and use all the time.

I’d love to hear from anyone with any questions or even topics of interest you’d like me to write about regarding raw, living foods. I certainly love to talk about it and love cooking this way so feel free to ask away!

photo from TelAviv4fun.

Yesterday, I went to a trade show that I go to every year. It is a metaphysical show which is perfect for the work I do and I look forward to going every year. One company that I absolutely adore has not been at the show for the past few years and was there yesterday. I have known about this company and the work they do all over the world since 1996 when I used to be a part owner in a metaphysical store and healing center for a few years. We sold the healing tools they make which helps others to shift and heal by the high vibrations emanating from the crystals, metals and sacred geometric shapes used. They are not cheap but something you will have for life. My then-boyfriend (now husband) actually purchased my first tool from them from my own store as a surprise for me.

This is an American Buddhist organization, non-profit, of course (they help feed and care for people as well as build new monasteries and are rebuilding the destroyed ones in Tibet) and I am not a Buddhist (I am a Universal Spiritualist, not defined by any one religion) but I am so drawn to the incredible energy that emanates from all of the monks and from the tools themselves. I won’t go into all of it now but I decided to gift myself a new healing tool for not only myself but to use in my healing practice.

The person who designs and blesses these tools is called Buddha Maitreya - a reincarnation of the Buddha, Krishna and the Christ among others. He has been recognized by the Dalai Lama and has a Tibetan title, too - His Holiness Jetsun Gyalwa Jampa Gonpo. I have been told that he is here once again to help shift humanity, integrate the soul into the body (this is the most basic of definitions by me) and has been here doing the work quietly for some time now. He emanates his teachings through these different healing tools and even has them in small jewelry form, too. All the money raised goes to help others, of course.

Being non-religious, I just connect to the high, loving frequency and am so excited every time I can spend time with anyone in this organization. It’s hard to explain but if you are sensitive to energy, you will feel it right away (even if you’re not, I have seen so many people drawn to these tools over the years). Of course the tool I wish to have the most is this large, geometric design called the Solar Cross that wherever you hang it, that space (and beyond) will emanate energy like a monastery - a very high frequency. Someday I will have one.

When I got home last night and showed my husband and 4 year old what I brought back, as soon as I took the healing tool out of the case, my son’s eyes got so big and he immediately grabbed it from me with both hands, clutched it to his chest for a few seconds then pulled it away and looked down at it feeling it all over and says, “God is in this”. Michael and my jaws dropped and we were like “what did you say?” and he again said, “God is in this.” I literally was like holy sh*t, my kid immediately picked up on the connection to the living Buddha. Of course it’s real and powerful.

What a pure state of being a young child is always in and to be able to connect in just a few seconds of feeling it I can’t tell you how blown away I was. Besides that, I think we have only mentioned the word “God” a very few times because we say it more as Great Spirit or the Universe or Nature or something of a more open connectedness to spirit and less defined by society and all those different religious connotations placed upon certain words. So for him to pick that word really amazes me (unless he’s learned it at school which is possible).

I think any child would pick up on this but I know my son is very attuned to this already. I’m glad I can help guide him on his path and have these tools and many other things around him while he’s young and still so connected to the spiritual realm. It’s so easy and natural for them at this age but it does start to fade around age 7. I’m really excited to hear what else he is going to enlighten me with on this topic in the future.

Well this is some interesting news. The Lancet has recently published an article by British scientists entitled, ” Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.” They did this to to test whether intake of artificial food color and additives (AFCA) affected childhood behavior.

Guess what? It does.

Here is their method:

153 3-year-old and 144 8/9-year-old children were included in the study. The challenge drink contained sodium benzoate and one of two AFCA mixes (A or B) or a placebo mix. The main outcome measure was a global hyperactivity aggregate (GHA), based on aggregated z-scores of observed behaviours and ratings by teachers and parents, plus, for 8/9-year-old children, a computerised test of attention.

Here are their results:

16 3-year-old children and 14 8/9-year-old children did not complete the study, for reasons unrelated to childhood behaviour. Mix A had a significantly adverse effect compared with placebo in GHA for all 3-year-old children but not mix B versus placebo. This result persisted when analysis was restricted to 3-year-old children who consumed more than 85% of juice and had no missing data. 8/9-year-old children showed a significantly adverse effect when given mix A or mix B when analysis was restricted to those children consuming at least 85% of drinks with no missing data.

Their interpretation of the study:

Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.

So now when a school tells you your child needs to be on Ritalin to attend school due to their hyperactive behavior, you can print out this study and tell them that instead, you will radically change your child’s diet back to one of whole, organic foods filled with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, grains and beans, good oils, clean protein sources and cut out the processed junk foods and soda which contain these chemicals that directly cause the hyperactive behavior the teacher is railing against. A much easier and cheaper fix and your child won’t become zombie like and super skinny from not eating which are the side effects of drugging your elementary school aged child.

I’m not saying don’t ever give your child treats again. I’m saying READ THE INGREDIENTS on everything you give your kids. Chemicals affects them much more than adults.

The best way is to bake your own treats like muffins or cookies using whole grain ingredients and natural sweeteners, incorporate more fruit and nuts and seeds into the foods or even better, just eat plain fruit as a snack.

If you don’t have the time to cook much, buy from stores that only sell products that don’t contain artificial food additives. Even at regular grocery stores, if you look most now carry some of the brands that don’t use these hyperactivity causing additives. One of my favorite companies that not only uses good organic ingredients but also gives all of it’s profits to charities is Newman’s Own Organics. There are many other good brands such as Barbara’s, Mi-Del, Wholly Wholesome, Robert’s, etc. If you look, you will find and with no food additives, either.

The more we buy from the companies that only use the better, safer (and better tasting) ingredients, the more other manufacturers will see the trend and hopefully switch over. Of course the absolute best thing to do is to make it yourself from the best ingredients. You may be surprised, it doesn’t take that long and tastes so much better. Remember to vote with your dollars - companies are always paying attention.

photo from google images

Today is my 9th wedding anniversary. Michael and I have been living together for 11 years now. It doesn’t even feel like that much time has passed. I am very lucky to have someone in my life who loves me unconditionally and accepts me as I am. He is such a renaissance man, I’m constantly amazed by what he can do or think up and this amazement has only grown over time. Really, he’s a very brilliant and talented guy and such a great dad and partner. I am truly blessed.

Today is also the Summer Solstice and one of my favorite holidays. We had a very special earth-based wedding ceremony in the mountains with loved ones and nature all around us. We also had a bonfire and a ritual at night with friends and family as the sun was setting at 9pm and all the stars were out. It was a fun, magical day in every way and our lives together have been equally as magical.

From many traveling adventures, major home renovations in different houses, yurt livin’ off the grid and one special and amazing little boy, we’ve definitely experienced quite a bit these past 11 years together.

I love you truly, madly, deeply and hope we get to have at least one hundred more anniversaries together!

Over the years, from having my own herbal products company and being a Certified Herbalist that loves to create, I have made so many different facial cleansing products and healing, detoxifying masks. As one of my side effects of a hormone disorder, I tend to break out if I’m stressed, eat anything wrong - or doing a deep cleanse. Eating a raw vegan diet is initially like doing a deep cleanse which is great but not so great for my skin. I have to up my exercise and water intake to keep my skin looking better since the skin is the biggest pathway of elimination that we have.

Several months ago, I read a post on Allie’s Answers about using good ole’ baking soda to wash your face with everyday. I thought, well, I’ve never actually tried that one and I have like 2 enormous boxes of the stuff from Costco because I love baking soda and the plethora of things you can do with it.

I can honestly say, it’s been a few months now of daily use and I love washing my face with baking soda! The first week or so I felt a bit dry after doing it so I moisturized right after and it felt great - so smooth and clear. I think it helped my breakouts from my deep cleansing of stored toxins coming out. It just buffs my face nicely like a daily gentle exfoliant. I especially like to do this before bed at night and then apply a gentle, non-clogging moisturizer. I wake up with such soft skin. I’ve also noticed that after I exfoliate with the baking soda, my skin doesn’t feel dry or tight at all anymore like it did in the beginning.

I read up a bit on how others use it on their skin and you can soak psoriasis plaques in a baking soda bath or apply a paste of baking soda and water directly onto the plaques and it helps them to fall off. Good for excema, too. Some people may feel a tingle at first using baking soda on their skin but it is not harmful and that tingle goes away quickly, too. It was also recommended to drink some baking soda in a glass of water to help alkalinize the body and reduce the symptoms of the skin disorder. Eating a raw vegan diet is alkalinizing to the body, too - just sayin’.

Here is a link to the Arm and Hammer site with a list of how you can use baking soda on your body. It’s really an amazing safe and gentle product that costs you just pennies per any job that you use it for. It’s not just for cooking, scrubbing your tub or using it as an antacid.

I’d love to hear from anyone that uses baking soda on their skin and your results and opinions about it. Or, if you are going to give it a try, please let me know what you think of it after you try it!

I wanted to talk about something that everyone who lives “on the grid” can do to help offset their carbon footprint just that much more and that makes you feel good every time you flip on a switch in your home.

I’m talking renewable energy such as wind power. Yeah, baby. In my town, our power company offers a renewable energy program for as little as $1.50 a month for a block of 100 kWh (kilowatt hour) to offset your electricity usage. Businesses can also subscribe to this type of program, too. You the consumer can buy in blocks of kWh or can choose to purchase all of your electrical usage to come from only renewable sources and you would pay an additional fee per kWh - in my town it’s 1.5 cents per kWh. Even if you purchased 500 kWh, that would only cost you an additional $7.50 per month.

We originally were just buying 500 kWh instead of buying all of it because we were also donating money every month to a program that helps those in need pay their electric bills but then I calculated it out and really, at the maximum it will cost us between $13-$20 (depending on the season) total additional added to my electric bill each month for getting all of our electric use offset so we decided to do it. It feels so good! I feel almost as good as when I really did live entirely off the grid for a few years. And, as with everything, the more people who subscribe to these programs and offset their electricity usage by purchasing renewable energy, the cheaper it will become for everyone and that much better for the environment.

Let me tell you what just a measly $1.50 (100kWh or one block of purchased renewable energy) added to your electric bill each month is equivalent to:

• Planting a half acre of trees
• Not driving a gasoline powered car 2,400 miles

Now imagine offsetting all of your electric usage each month what that would be equivalent to.

Basically, electricity generated by wind and other renewable sources such as hydroelectric, geothermal, solar and biomass do not produce air or water emissions. They do not create solid or hazardous waste nor do they contribute carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Using renewable energy instead of coal, natural gas or oil avoids the environmental impacts of mining, drilling, transporting and burning those fuels.

Here where I live, they purchase primarily wind energy from a wind farm in a neighboring state as well as “Renewable Energy Certificates” (RECs) which are purchased from renewable energy facilities owned by other utilities.

RECs represent the legal right to the environmental benefits associated with replacing one megawatt hour of energy on the electricity grid (which most of that comes from coal and gas from the Rocky Mountains).

Some of you may be wondering how do we know they are actually using this extra money to purchase renewable energy? Well, have no fear - the Green-e Program certifies that (said power company)’s renewable energy meets the minimum environmental and consumer protection standards established by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions . Just look for their symbol on your power company’s website or renewable energy literature or you can purchase renewable energy here.

I know money may be tight for some families right now but even if you can only afford an extra $1.50 each month to go towards a renewable energy program, it’s like you are planting a half acre of trees every month and didn’t drive 2,400 miles. Isn’t that doing so much for such a small price? I think our planet is worth at least that tiny effort and believe me, you will feel so good!

Here are two great, green living giveaways you should know about:

My friend Heather at A Mama’s Blog is doing a huge green eco-products giveaway. Check it out to see all that you could win!

My friend Amy at Crunchy Domestic Goddess is giving away a non-toxic weed killer. Be sure to stop by to try and win that, too.

As Kermit the Frog would now say, “It’s easy being green.”

Triclosan, an antibacterial agent has been strongly linked to the following effects on human health:

• Abnormalities with the endocrine system, particularly with thyroid hormone signaling
• Weakening of the immune system
• Birth defects
• Uncontrolled cell growth
• Unhealthy weight loss

Although Triclosan is best known for its presence in many brands of antibacterial soap, it is also found in a wide variety of personal care and household products.

According to BeyondPesticides.org :

"The chemical, Triclosan, is a synthetic, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that in recent years has exploded onto the consumer market in a wide variety of antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics, plastics and other products. Studies have increasingly linked triclosan to a range of health and environmental effects, from skin irritation, allergy susceptibility, bacterial and compounded antibiotic resistant and dioxin contamination to destruction of fragile aquatic ecosystems."

Below is a list of different brands that include Triclosan in specific products:

Soaps:

• Dial® Liquid Soap
• Softsoap® Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
• Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap
• Provon® Soap
• Clearasil® Daily Face Wash
• Dermatologica® Skin Purifying Wipes
• Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser
• DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap
• Naturade Aloe Vera 80® Antibacterial Soap
• CVS Antibacterial Soap
• pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser

Dental Care:

• Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Triclosan Mouthwash
• Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush
• Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste

Cosmetics:

• Supre® Café Bronzer™
• TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit
• Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation
• Mavala Lip Base
• Jason Natural Cosmetics
• Blemish Cover Stick
• Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ
• Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb
• Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss
• Dazzle

Deodorant:

• Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant
• Right Guard Sport Deodorant
• Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant
• Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick Deodorant
• DeCleor Deodorant Stick
• Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes
• X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant

Other Personal Care Products:

• Gillette® Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel
• Murad Acne Complex® Kit®
• Diabet-x™ Cream
• T.Taio™ sponges and wipes
• Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel

First Aid:

• SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic
• Solarcaine®
• First Aid Medicated Spray;
• Nexcare™ First Aid
• Skin Crack Care
• First Aid/Burn Cream
• HealWell® Night Splint
• 11-1X1: Universal Cervical Collar with Microban

Kitchenware:

• Farberware® Microban Steak knife Set and Cutting Boards
• Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban
• Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer
• Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban
• Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads

Computer Equipment:

• Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad

Clothes:

• Teva® Sandals
• Merrell Shoes
• Sabatier Chef’s Apron
• Dickies Socks
• Fruit of the Loom Socks
• Biofresh® Socks

Children’s Toys:
Playskool®:

• Stack ‘n Scoop Whale
• Rockin’ Radio
• Hourglass
• Sounds Around Driver
• Roll ‘n’ Rattle Ball
• Animal Sounds Phone
• Busy Beads Pal
• Pop ‘n’ Spin Top
• Lights ‘n’ Surprise Laptop

Other:

• Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier
• Microban® All Weather Reinforced Hose
• Thomasville® Furniture
• Deciguard AB Ear Plugs
• Bauer® 5000 Helmet
• Aquatic Whirlpools
• Miller Paint Interior Paint
• QVC® Collapsible 40-Can Cooler
• Holmes Foot Buddy™ Foot Warmer
• Blue Mountain Wall Coverings
• California Paints®
• EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails
• Dupont™ Air Filters
• Durelle™ Carpet Cushions
• Advanta One Laminate Floors
• San Luis Blankets
• J Cloth® towels
• JERMEX mops

Alternatives to Triclosan

According to BeyondPesticides,org, when products containing Triclosan are used in hospitals or for people with weak immune systems, it is an important sanitary tool. Outside of these settings, it is unnecessary and the constant exposure to Triclosan becomes a health and environmental problem.

Their recommendations? Good old soap and water. Here are some more tips:

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly - lather hands for at least 10 to 15 seconds then rinse in warm water. For those of us with little kids, teach them to sing the Happy Birthday song or another little song to sing (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, maybe?) while they are lathering to be sure it’s at least a 10 second lather.
• Dry hands with a clean towel to help brush off any germs that did not get washed down the drain.
• Wash surfaces that come in contact with food with a detergent and water.
• Wash children’s toys regularly to prevent infection.
• Read all ingredients when buying personal care products. There are also some essential oils that have antimicrobial properties, some examples are Australian tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract and pine oil to name a few.

I like to carry a hand sanitizer with me since I have a young son who touches everything. I’ve been using a natural hand sanitizer found at most health food stores and now even Target, I believe. It is called "Clean and Well" and the anti-microbial ingredient used is Thyme Oil. It’s also gentle on your hands and does the job of killing off the germs, too. If you look, you will find natural, safe alternatives to just about everything now.

An old friend of mine sent me this great link to finding the cheapest gas station in your town (or anywhere). Just type in your zip code and it will pop up a list and a map showing all the stations in your zip code from cheapest to highest.

This was sent to me soon after I had this discussion with my husband about this very subject. I was noticing that the station nearest our house is way more expensive than the one I usually go to. It turns out from this list that the closest station is usually one of the top ones in price. The one I go to where I get a ten cent discount from shopping at a certain supermarket is the cheapest plus I also get the discount. So, I save twenty cents total per gallon compared to the stations right by my house. Granted, it is all the way across town but it is near the health food store I frequent and my son’s preschool so I plan my trips accordingly and get the big savings, too.

Well, this is very disheartening to me. A new report by the EWG states that in the state of Colorado, there are at least 430 million gallons of fluids being chemically injected into 9,000 of the state’s 35,000 oil and gas wells, most of which are located on the front range and the western slope where there are large, heavily populated cities. These toxic chemicals being injected into the wells are to help break down the rock to get the oil and gas out easier. These chemicals are also unregulated. But of course they are.

The report from the EWG states:

“The analysis by Environmental Working Group and The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), a research organization based in Paonia, Colo., found that at least 65 chemicals used by natural gas companies in Colorado are listed as hazardous under 6 major federal laws designed to protect Americans from toxic substances. If any one of these 65 chemicals were emitted or discharged from an industrial facility, reporting to the US EPA would be mandatory, and in most cases permits would require strict pollution limits and companies would be subject to specific cleanup standards. But because these same chemicals are used in natural gas drilling operations they are completely exempt from environmental reporting requirements, and their use is not controlled in any meaningful way.”

The report goes on to say:

“Despite a record number of wells approved in Colorado — more than 6,300 in 2007 versus just 2,900 in 2004 — state and federal officials and the public have almost no idea how any of these industry chemicals are used, whether or not their use threatens water supplies, pollutes the local air, or presents a risk to public safety. This is true even when these chemicals are considered highly toxic, or an “imminent and substantial danger” to health and the environment under federal environmental laws. Dozens of pesticide ingredients are also used by the natural gas industry in Colorado.”

I find this disturbing for several reasons. First, I live inside one of those large, red splotches on the map above where these unregulated, noxious chemicals are being poured into the thousands of wells all around me. What if it is leaching into the water supply that comes into my home which we then drink and bathe with, waters not only my garden but the farmer’s fields that I buy my local, organic produce from, the pool my son swims in, the air I breathe and on and on? Why do they still get away with poisoning the land with no regulation of any kind?

Just this week, there was a hearing held in Grand Junction by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as part of a process of rewriting the state’s drilling standards. The Commission is considering a requirement that companies provide a limited disclosure of the chemicals they use.

Only “considering limited disclosure” is not enough. These companies need to be required to list in detail the names of the chemicals and the exact amounts used in each well. They then would be regulated since many of the chemicals are considered hazardous under federal laws designed to protect people and the environment. These companies are getting away with so much just because they deal with oil and gas which equals money and therefore people and the environment don’t fit in the equation.