The Importance of Enzymes with Fred Busch (Video)

The ultimate natural cure for many diseases common to our advanced culture is largely related to the presence of enzymes in raw food. The lack of enzymes in processed and cooked foods often causes these foods to become a burden to our bodies and this ultimately results in a variety of health problems. This article and the video that follows addresses this very important health issue.

Enzymes are an extremely important key to a healthy life; actually they are essential to life itself. No enzymes, no life. All the digestive enzymes in our food are destroyed by processing, cooking and baking, and when we eat these foods the body has to draw the necessary enzymes to digest this “dead” food from the body organs which in turn become unbalanced. Most of the processed foods available in our supermarkets are void of enzymes. Research has shown that this can cause conditions that support a host of degenerative diseases. Fortunately, by eating raw food and/or taking enzyme supplements helps to restore our health and then maintain a state of optimal health.

Natural enzymes from living food work directly with the body's pancreatic enzymes; when we don't have an abundant supply, our digestion is impaired. The more processed foods we eat, the fewer enzymes we have and the more difficult it becomes to properly digest and assimilate the food we eat.


living foods contain living enzymes.

 Think of enzymes as the 'spark of life'. Without enzymes, our bodies do not properly break down food; for that reason we do not absorb the necessary vitamins, minerals and amino acids which are the basis of optimal health. Our immune system, bloodstream, liver, kidneys, spleen and pancreas are especially dependent on sufficient enzymes for proper digestive function. Without enough enzymes, our white blood cells try to duplicate the function of these missing enzymes, usually leaving one feeling tired or lethargic after eating; a common response to compromise the immune system. Enzymes are responsible for every single biochemical reaction that occurs in living matter. All living things depend on enzymes.

In the above video Fred Mentions AFA (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) which literally means "invisible living flower of water" in Greek. If you would like more information on this product contact American Nutrition Institute directors by visiting this page.

Probiotics with Fred Busch (VIDEO)

In the video below Fred Busch of the American Nutrition Institute (ANI) discusses some of the reasons to use probiotics in a regimen of intelligent living. Many people have intestinal ailments and malfunctions and could benefit from the use of probiotic friendly bacteria, microflora, along with a program of eliminating junk food and beginning to exercise.
Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body's naturally occurring gut flora (an ecology of microbes) to re-establish themselves. They are sometimes recommended by doctors, and, more frequently, by nutritionists, following a cleanse, after a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatment for gut related candidiasis.

Probiotics Offer the Following Health Benefits:

• Promote healthy digestion and nutrient assimilation.
• Replenish colonies of friendly bacteria that may be destroyed by antibiotics and certain health complications.
• Counter an overgrowth of "bad" organisms in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Enhance immune response (since a large percentage of cells of the immune system are located in the digestive tract).
• May support healthy cholesterol levels.
• Promote oral health.
• Help counter an unfavorable balance of yeast and fungus.
• Assist those that are lactose intolerant with lactose digestion.
• Support urinary tract and colon health.

Why is Supplementing with Probiotics Important?

A number of factors, including poor diet, medication, illness, stress and aging, can deplete levels of beneficial bacteria in the body. That's why it is important to incorporate a good, high-quality probiotic supplement into your daily diet.

What to Look for in a Probiotic Supplement:

• Find a probiotic supplement that guarantees its potency (the promised level of live bacteria) at time of use.
• Make sure that it contains a high-quality prebiotic to nourish and sustain existing friendly bacterial colonies within the intestines.
• Only use a probiotic supplement containing naturally occurring strains that are safe and effective for human use and are not genetically engineered (non-GMO).
• Choose one that features a good delivery technology that enables these strains to securely arrive at their destination – the intestinal tract.

Here's more...

Cabbage can also be used as a homemade probiotic...
CABBAGE REJUVELAC:

Quote: "Cabbage is a vegetable that is teeming with lactobacteria. No starter is needed for making rejuvelac. Just start one morning by blending together 1 3/4 cups (420ml) distilled or purified water plus 3 cups (720ml coarsely chopped, loosely packed fresh cabbage. Start the blender at low speed and then advance the blender to high speed and blend for 30 more seconds. Pour into a jar, cover, and let stand at room temperature for 3 days. At this time, strain off the liquid rejuvelac. The initial batch of cabbage rejuvelac takes 3 days to mature, but succeeding batches take 24 hours each.

Each morning after straining off the fresh rejuvelac, blend together for 30 seconds at high speed 1 1/2 cups (360ml) distilled or purified water plus 3 cups (720ml) coarsely chopped, loosely packed fresh cabbage. Pour into a jar, add 1/4 cup (60ml) of the fresh rejuvelac just strained off, cover, shake and let stand at room temp. until the next morning.

You can also make cabbage rejuvelac without a blender by chopping the cabbage very fine and using 2 1/2 cups (600ml) finely chopped, loosely packed cabbage listed above. The amount of distilled or purified water used should remain unchanged.

Good quality rejuvelac tastes similar to a cross between carbonated water and the whey obtained when making yogurt. Bad quality rejuvelac has a much more putrid odor and taste and should not be consumed. Always avoid using tap water when making rejuvelac because chlorine has been added to it for the purpose of killing bacteria of any kind.

Drink each day's rejuvelac during the course of the day by taking 1/2 cup (120ml) 3x a day, preferably with meals."

...Robert Gray - "The Colon Health Handbook"



And this...
CULTURED CABBAGE JUICE

Quote: "To implant friendly lactobacteria in the colon and heal damaged mucus membranes of the G.I. tract, you need to drink about 1 and 1/2 cup daily of cultured cabbage juice. Here is how to make it. Fill blender with chopped green cabbage and add distilled water until about 2/3 full. (Do not use well water or tap water). Beat at high speed in the blender for one minute. Pour mixture into bowl and repeat with two more batches. Cover with Seran wrap or similar material and let stand at room temperature. After 3 days, the cabbage juice solution is ready to use. Strain the mixture to separate the liquid from the pulp. Place the cultured cabbage juice in refrigerator. Drink 1/2 cup of this solution diluted with an equal part of water 2 or 3 times each day. When your supply gets low, make second batch just like the first one, except, add 1/2 cup of the juice from the first batch to the second batch. Your second batch will be ready just 24 hours.

This process may be repeated indefinitely. Each serving contains several billion friendly lactobacteria. The lactic acid in the culture cabbage juice will purify the G.I. tract and kill most strains of fungi, parasites and other pathogens.

You should drink this mixture until your stools float in the toilet bowl and are odor free. When that happens, you may lower your dosage of cultured cabbage juice to one serving each day as maintenance dosage. You may eat one cup of raw cabbage as a substitute for 1/2 cup of cultured cabbage juice."

Conrad Lebeau - "Natural Remedies For Intestinal Health"

Did you know? Did you know that Yoga is here to serve us...(Video)

Did you know? Did you know that Yoga is here to serve us...and we are not here to serve Yoga? In our Yoga practice, poses that are injurious to us are to be skipped until our body heals. The ability to let go of unintelligent poses and allow the body to heal is a sign of an advanced Yogi!

Fred Busch

Yoga’s goal, as many of you know, is to unite the body, mind and the spirit. Since ancient times yogis have viewed the body and mind as one, and when given proper instruction and guidance, and practiced in a right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga practice is therefore considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It conditions the body, making it more flexible and supports a relaxed state even while in the midst of a stressful environment. This is the primary reason people want to start yoga practice - to feel more fit, more energetic, happier and peaceful. But there’s more...

Physiologically Yoga prompts the body to achieve...

• Physiologically Yoga prompts the body to achieve...
• Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
• Pulse rate decreases
• Respiratory rate decreases
• Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors)
• Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
• EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)
• EMG activity decreases
• Cardiovascular efficiency increases
• Respiratory efficiency increases
• Gastrointestinal function normalizes
• Endocrine function normalizes
• Excretory functions improve
• Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
• Breath-holding time increases
• Joint range of motion increase
• Grip strength increases
• Eye-hand coordination improves
• Dexterity skills improve
• Reaction time improves
• Posture improves
• Strength and resiliency increase
• Endurance increases
• Energy level increases
• Weight normalizes
• Sleep improves
• Immunity increases
• Pain decreases
• Steadiness improves
• Depth perception improves
• Balance improves
• Integrated functioning of body parts improves

Psychologically Yoga prompts the mind to achieve...  

• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
• Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
• Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
• Social adjustment increases
• Anxiety and Depression decrease
• Hostility decreases
• Concentration improves
• Memory improves
• Attention improves
• Learning efficiency improves
• Mood improves
• Self-actualization increase
• Social skills increases
• Well-being increases
• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
• Self-acceptance increase
• Attention improves
• Concentration improves
• Memory improves
• Learning efficiency improves
• Symbol coding improves
• Depth perception improves

Biochemically Yoga promotes...

• Glucose decreases
• Sodium decreases
• Total cholesterol decreases
• Triglycerides decrease
• HDL cholesterol increases
• LDL cholesterol decreases
• VLDL cholesterol decreases
• Cholinesterase increases
• Catecholamines decrease
• ATPase increases
• Hematocrit increases
• Hemoglobin increases
• Lymphocyte count increases
• Total white blood cell count decreases
• Thyroxin increases
• Vitamin C increases
• Total serum protein increases

Did you know? That there are many ways of meditating and meditation is not what you think. (VIDEO)

Did you know? Did you know that there are many ways of meditating? Seated still mind meditation is one type, but only one type.



Formal "seated" meditation in a full lotus position



Meditation is any practice that allows us to transcend our thinking minds and the suffering that they produce. Swimming, running, chanting are all ways of experiencing the deep peace found beyond the mind. It is also interesting to note that the Tibetan Buddhist Meditation tradition does not have seated still mind meditation as one of their practices whatsoever. The meditation practice given by the Buddha to all his disciples is called Vipassana and is a practice of keeping attention on the relaxed breath as the focus of meditation.

Vipassana means 'to come and see'. To be more precise – ‘to come inward and see’, and thus is often referred to as ‘insight meditation’. The practice of Vipassana meditation as instructed by the Buddha is ‘To watch your breath with awareness’. That's all! It’s just that simple, to remain watchful of your breath as it comes and goes. That is Vipassana. It’s the easiest meditation technique of all time. It’s the kind of friendly meditation which can be practiced by anybody, anywhere and at any time.

It has been said that the most fruitful meditation becomes ‘seamless’ and you’ll know you’ve attained real success when you can be aware of your breath while doing all kinds of daily activities like reading, playing, driving a car, even running errands or doing simple domestic tasks. This stage will come after continuing the regular practice of bringing your attention back to the breath for a considerable amount of time. At that point you will become aware of two basic aspects of your existence, ‘doing’ and ‘being’. You will notice that you’re doing everything, fully involved in your tasks, yet inside you’ll have established a center of awareness that is completely undisturbed by outer circumstances. That will be the true state of a meditator.

Of related interest: Video - Meditation after Yoga Class - Fred Busch Power Yoga

Did you know? Those involved in the healing arts are often given a bad rap?

Did you know? Did you know that people have a strange attitude about those in the healing arts that they should all do their work for free and not have material success? There is a huge disconnect and irony in peoples understanding in my little opinion. It seems that only people that hurt others by selling garbage food, alcohol, drugs, toxic entertainment, and other destructive goods are allowed (in many people's minds) to get rich. True healers that actually help people deeply on any number of levels are somehow expected to work for free and live in poverty. It is unfortunate that this attitude is so pervasive. It should actually be the opposite! People that make the world a better and more peaceful and harmonious place should be the most successful on all levels... and those greedy ones that poison others or are party to it should be paupers. Of course material success is not true wealth anyway... health obviously is! But my point still stands!

Think about it, if doctors actually healed people instead of mostly attempting to relieve their symptoms, the drug and insurance companies would suffer huge losses. A holistic healing approach is focused on the wellness of the whole person and that is the #1 priority, symptoms are of least importance, for when optimal health is recovered the symptoms go away by themselves.

There are two basic opposing viewpoints concerning health and disease and they've been at odds since ancient times. The conventional view, called Allopathic (literally, “other disease”) sees problems coming from outside the body. More simply; the cause of disease comes from the outside, then invades and attacks the body and the person gets "sick." This is also referred to as the "Germ Theory". Allopathic philosophy declares that when the body has any symptoms, like pain, fever, nausea, etc. that means the person has caught some sort of bug, or disease and needs to have these symptoms “treated” (i.e., covered up). Usually drugs are prescribed to accomplish this. If the disease localizes itself in one certain part of the body and becomes chronic (it won't go away), then oftentimes it is recommended that that part of the body may have to be cut out (using a surgical procedure). That's the allopathic viewpoint and its logical progression is: disease, symptoms, drugs, surgery.

Thankfully, the holistic point of view is different. Holistic philosophy says that both the cause and cure of all disease lie within the body. The parts of the body are interrelated in ways that are so complex, so sophisticated, so elegantly orchestrated and exquisitely tuned, that, as Deepak Chopra says, "...all medical technology has only the crudest, faintest understanding of just a few basic mechanisms. In most cases, the body can heal itself if provided with the opportunity. It does this from the inside out - from the brain and spinal cord, outward through the nervous system, to every organ, and cell. For every time you have ever been sick, there have been hundreds of times when your immune system has conquered a disease without any overt symptoms being expressed. The mysteries of the body - its inner workings - are actually the most evolved systems in the universe. We are dealing with the life forces, the life substances - that which can never be viewed in dissection or isolated in laboratory culture. To influence these subtle, delicate interweavings, natural cures seek to nourish and encourage the body back into a condition of balance, by gentle support."



The bottom line is: Holistic and natural methods say the body can usually heal itself. Allopathic medicine says it can’t, and that it requires powerful interventions. Allopathic advocates are constantly proclaiming that they “understand” the body well enough to chemically take control “for that body's own good.” ...Unfortunately our disease statistics prove otherwise. Everyone knows that incidences of cancer continue to be on the rise. Multiple studies have documented the increase in many other major chronic diseases in the last 30 years, telling some shocking stories about infant mortality as well.

We all have to choose for ourselves; a quick fix to relieve symptoms, or a lifestyle change that promotes health and prevents disease.

 

 

Announcing - Upcoming Events (Salamadhi Ranch Video)

Remainder of 2012

10/04 – 10/07/12: Amazing News! Due to a scheduling conflict Victoria Brunacci will be postponing her Salamadhi Ranch Yoga Retreat and will be joining Rae Indigo and Fred Busch on the October 4th retreat as a guest teacher. After going to Maccu Piccu with Victoria I know that she is so much fun and such an amazing person to be on retreat with! Can't wait! There are still a few spots left... price is still on early registration discount of $899 – Thursday Oct. 4th through Sunday Oct. 7th. email fredb@miamiyoga.com 

October 13 at 9:00 am until November 11 at 5:30 pm. - Fred Busch Power Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Nanda in Garden City! Yoga Alliance 200/300/500. Hot Yoga / Power Yoga / Vinyasa

Study directly with Fred Busch and Rae Indigo and find out why his Teacher Training Program is so popular around the world. Fred's training emphasize great sequences with safe variations, yoga therapy, alignment, teaching techniques, Sanskrit, meditation, pranayama, mantra, yoga anatomy, adjustments, massage therapy, philosophy and more!

For all information and to register please visit: http://www.yoga-nanda.com/  email fredb@miamiyoga.com 

November 12, 2012 - Fred Busch Power Yoga Teacher Training in Bogota, Colombia email fredb@miamiyoga.com

December 10 at 8:00am until December 20 at 6:00pm. - Rishikesh, India

NAMASTE! We hope you all had a wonderful summer. We have had a date change for our INDIA YOGA RETREAT now 12/10/2012-12/20/2012. Which means you have even more time to prepare, plan, save and COME with us. You don't want to miss this life changing experience led by Fred, Natalie and our dear friend Amit. Check out our blog from our last retreat to see highlights, photos, videos, and stories http://therupeeman.tumblr.com/

10 DAYS OF BLISS IN RISHIKESH, INDIA. Come see the HIMALAYAS!

Dates December 10th- December 20th 2012. Plenty of time for you to plan though we do plan on selling out.

Brief Details: 

• 12/10/2012 arrive in Delhi, India
• 12/11/2012 depart to Rishikesh by private car 
• 12/11/2012-12/19/2012 Check into hotel in Rishikesh The Rainforest House (www.rainforest-house.com) You will experience daily yoga, visit to waterfalls, the Ganga River, Shivanada ashram, Vasishta Gufta cave where the Hindu sage and yogi Vasishta did his sadhana ages ago, Rajaji National Park, sunrises, sunsets, hikes, and a life changing experience. 
• 12/19/2012 depart back Delhi, India by private car 
• 12/20/2012 departure back to country of origin.

Price: $2250.

Includes: pick up to and from airport, 9 nights of hotels (double occupancy and shared bed), breakfast included in Delhi, 2 meals a day included in Rishikesh at the rainforest hotel, daily yoga classes, and group day adventures.

*Note: Does not include: tips, meals other then what is stated, any extra activities you may want to do while in Rishikesh, and international air flight.

To reserve your spot Contact: Fred Busch fbusch911@gmail.com 

Natalie D'onofrio therupeeman@gmail.com

2013

Fred Busch Power Yoga Teacher Training in Miami January 12th, 2013

02/13 through 03/10/13: Salamadhi Ashram Teacher Training with Fred Busch, Rae Indigo and Genevieve Walker.

Three week Teacher Training Intensive in Malta, starting March 23, 2012, with Fred Busch and Rae Indigo – Register NOW (356) 9999-1844 or contact Fred for more details fbusch911@gmail.com 

Later in 2013 (stay tuned for details)

Fred Busch Power Yoga Teacher Training in Lima April 22, 2013

 

Fred Busch/Rae Indigo Power Yoga Teacher Training in Miami June 8th, 2013

Yoga instruction with Fred Busch

Salamadhi Retreat Center Colorado (Video)



 

Did you know? There's a huge difference between western and yogic psychology (VIDEO)

Did you know? (Sourced from venerable guru Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda - spoken from his ashram in Miami, Florida - and thanks to Victoria Brunacci for taking me to his ashram recently).

“Did you know that western psychology is concerned with how to handle and deal with the mind? ...but the yoga psychology of Patanjali's Yoga sutras is concerned with how to transcend the mind? What a huge difference in approach! Both approaches may have value... but in my small opinion the yoga way of meditation is a very effective means of experiencing sustained peace of mind and well being!"

Now a bit more about Patanjali’s Yoga sutras (aka: Raja Yoga)

Starting off with the first two sutras of book 1 (loosely translated)...

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras – Book 1 (the Problem of Union)

Sutra #1 - atha yogā 'nuśāsanaṃ - “Now, The following instruction concerns the Science of Union (or Yoga).”
Sutra #2 – yogaś citta vṛtti nirodhaḥ - “This Union (or Yoga) is achieved through the subjugation and the restraint of the chitta (‘stuff’ of the mind).”

Commentary on sutra #2 - Here Patanjali instructs the student to prevent the mind from assuming the many forms it so easily does, whereas western psychology analyses these ‘mind forms’ (chitta) in an attempt to determine the character and traits of the individual. Again, a huge difference!

When these mind forms are present and active in any given individual western psychologists then assess whether that person is in need of treatment or not, based on certain professional guidelines used to determine levels of “so-called” sanity. Problem is; these guidelines are also part of the same ‘mind stuff’. Whereas, in the case of yogic meditation as outlined in Patanjali’s sutras the mind forms are stilled and their very presence is transcended, when this happens it brings peace and the yogi knows himself as he is in reality.

Patanjali’s Yoga sutras are the basis of Ashtanga Yoga and aspiring yogis would do well to study them. Raja Yoga reveals the art and science of traditional Yoga meditation for Self-Realization. It is a scientific process of systematically encountering, examining, and transcending each of the various gross and subtle levels of false identity (ego) in the mind field, until the jewel of the true Self comes shining through and liberation is assured.

There are 196 sutras organized progressively in four books or chapters...

• Book 1 - Samadhi Pada, 51 sutras (concentration and meditation)
• Book 2 - Sadhana Pada, 55 sutras (practice)
• Book 3 - Vibhuti Pada, 56 sutras (progressing)
• Book 4 - Kaivalya Pada, 34 sutras (liberation)

For more on Patanjali’s Yoga sutras click on: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Raja Yoga - Ashtanga Yoga

Of realted interest (Video)...

Did you know? Nothing benefits the core muscles more than Navasana (VIDEO)

Did you know? Did you know that while many people use the term 'core' to say strengthen your 'core' in various physical modalities like yoga and pilates, there really is only one true CORE muscle... called Iliopsoas (or iliacus and psoas major) and that this is by far the most important muscle to develop with regards to mastering challenging poses. If you don't know what the psoas muscle is, or where it is, I suggest you google it and study it.

When you move from psoas you are able to control your body weight in the field of gravity without falling to the floor. In traditions they say 'engage mula bandha' in yoga asana... what they really mean... is engage psoas muscle... as once you are integrating the lower extremity with the central axis of the body, you are able to master so many Asanas that would have seemed impossible before. Boat pose variation with knees deeply bent is the key!

Benefits of the Boat pose...

•Tones and strengthens your abdominal muscles
•Improves balance and digestion
•Stretches your hamstrings
•Strengthens your spine and hip flexors
•Stimulates the kidneys, thyroid and prostate glands, and intestines
•Aids in stress relief


Boat pose (Navasana) w/knees bent



Did you know? That we can only see what we can imagine?

Did you know? Did you know that we can only see what we can imagine? And that we can only imagine a spectrum of possibilities constructed from our experience base?

Experience teaches wisdom because lessons are hard learned, but they are the only effective way to prevent future unconscious actions. It is also for this reason that many people are not capable of seeing positive things in others, things with which they have no personal experience. We can only see in the world and see in others what we have seen before in our travels and we can recognize in ourselves.

You can't see wisdom, at least not with your eyes. Neither can you feel wisdom; it can’t be touched with your hands. True wisdom comes only through experience, although compassionate guidance helps. There is something inherent in you - in everyone that recognizes and connects with wisdom based in experience. Wisdom teaches us how not to repeat the same mistakes over and over again expecting different results each time.

Down through the centuries, yogis gained wisdom by using the experiences found within their own bodies and minds. They scientifically explored life, regarding themselves as laboratories for experiments in becoming truly aware. Additionally, their imagination was highly active in the development of their practice. Meditation and a sense of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing were established as a result.

Those who are established in wisdom cannot “give” you their experience, but they can certainly assist you in discovering these things for yourself. These days knowledge is plentiful and is often mistaken for wisdom, but they’re two distinctly different things. Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge through experience.

In conclusion: Everything that you experience is an opportunity for you to use your imagination to figure out what your true purpose in life is and how to effectively apply that purpose. This is true wisdom and it assists us with recognizing our proper roles in relationship to ourselves and everything else around us and in so doing helps us to grow and mature.

Did you know? Mainstream Nutritionists Promote a Protein Myth (which can easily be deconstructed) - (VIDEO)

Did you know? (This one is brutal for people to realize, but too bad - for those that take offence, consider this, maybe you deserve it!).

Did you know that the argument given by mainstream nutritionists that we should eat meat for attaining protein leads logically to the fact that the best meat for us to eat is human? I know this makes you squirm, but it is the case that if we are told that we need to eat protein that was already constructed for attaining our own...protein... why not just eat the protein that has been constructed perfectly already for what we will need... other humans!


The reason why it is so outrageous that we are told to eat meat for our protein is that the human body builds its own human protein from the amino acids accessed from any quality uncooked source. All we need is amino acids... when we get them we don't have to consider the protein conversation any more. To say we need to eat animals to get protein is one of the most dangerous belief systems forced upon the masses possible. And if you want to produce human protein, why eat a cow when you can just eat a person and get the protein most similar to the one we will need to build. There sure is an abundance of dead humans, isn’t that what wars produce? Disgusting – dead Cows, Birds, Goats, Fish, Humans... all inferior ways for us to get our amino acid requirement.

Furthermore, look at the most common animals available for food in the market place and ask yourself what is their natural diet? Grass, grains, corn, soy - and they eat these foods and synthesize them into the protein needed to build the muscle (flesh) that some people then eat. So when you eat animal flesh it’s a second hand protein, because you have to break that meat back down into basic amino acids and then re-synthesize those amino acids back into a protein you can use. In the process of breaking down animal flesh all sorts of other nasty things are introduced into your bloodstream. So many in fact that in order to prevent viral and bacterial agents from entering the human bodies of those who consume meat, the FDA released an estimated 29 million lbs of antimicrobial drugs to be sold or distributed for use in food-producing animals, and this was in 2009 alone. Also, most commercial “food” animals consume large quantities of grain, grass, etc., which are to a greater or lesser extent contaminated with herbicides, pesticides, and other agents. These poisons concentrate in the fat of the animal and are present in highly concentrated amounts in an animal's milk and flesh.

Isn’t it ironic that the chief argument used to promote the use of animal products (that is, the purported need for large quantities of protein) is the greatest reason for avoiding them?

Did you know? Our use of the word "fresh" does not apply to meat. (Video)

Did you know? Did you know it is kind of funny people like to advertise with the word 'fresh' to describe recently killed animals? Fresh is good to described fruits and vegetables... but fresh should not be used as an adjective for dead and microscopically rotting flesh...even if it was only recently killed. Otherwise roadkill would fall into that catagory. 


Pretty discusting, huh?



Furthermore, 'fresh meat' is slang for a high school or college freshman, or a girl who has yet to be sexually exploited - also pretty revolting.

Getting back to the deceptive use of the term 'fresh' in regards to meat; you may object, saying that fresh implies that the meat has not been frozen, dried or processed in any way. Even so, that is still a misnomer since meat comes from a dead animal and 'dead' and 'fresh' cannot logically coexist in the same description (can you say oxymoron?). Realisticaslly, the second an animal's heart stops beating it's flesh begins to decompose, oxygen present in the body is quickly depleted and without intervention, putrifaction and bloating occur, quickly followed by flies, gnats and then maggots.

The following is the typical procedure in the US for preparing livestock from a farm, to be delivered as 'fresh meat' to a store near you:

1. Animals arrive via truck or rail from a ranch, farm, or feedlot.

2. Place animals in holding pens.

3. Knock them out by applying an electric shock of 300 volts and 2 amps to the back of the head, effectively stunning them, or by use of a captive bolt pistol to the front of the cow's head (a pneumatic or cartridge-fired captive bolt). Swine can be rendered unconscious by CO2/inert gas stunning. (This step is prohibited under strict application of Halal and Kashrut codes.)

4. Hang them upside down by both of their hind legs and place them on the processing line.

5. Sever the carotid artery and jugular vein with a knife. The blood drains from the body, causing death through exsanguination.

6. Remove the head and feet.

7. Cut around the digestive tract to prevent fecal contamination later in the process.

8. Remove the hide/skin by "down pullers", "side pullers" and "fisting" off the pelt (sheep and goats). Hides can also be removed by laying the carcase on a cradle and skinning with a knife.

9. Remove internal organs and inspect them for parasites and signs of disease. Separate the viscera from the heart and lungs, referred to as the "pluck" for inspection. Also separate livers for inspection. Drop or remove tongues from the head, and send the head down the line on head hooks or head racks for inspection of the lymph nodes for signs of systemic disease.

10. A government inspector inspects the carcase for safety. (This inspection is performed by the Food Safety Inspection Service in the U.S., and Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Canada.)

11. Reduce levels of bacteria using interventions such as steam, hot water, and organic acids.

12. Optionally Electrically stimulate cattle and sheep (only) to improve meat tenderness.

13. Chill carcases to prevent the growth of microorganisms and to reduce meat deterioration while the meat awaits distribution.

14. Cut the chilled carcase into primal cuts, subprimals and/or leave intact as a "side" of meat. Beef and horse carcases are always split in half and then quartered, pork is split into sides only and goat/veal/mutton and lamb is left whole.

15. The remaining carcase may be further processed to extract any residual traces of meat, usually termed advanced meat recovery or mechanically separated meat, for human or animal consumption.

16. Materials such as bone, lard or tallow, are sent to a rendering plant. Also, lard and tallow can be used for the production of biodiesel or heating oil.

17. The wastewater, consisting of blood and fecal matter, generated by the slaughtering process is sent to a waste water treatment plant.

18. The meat is transported to distribution centers that then distribute to retail markets.

Really! Does this sound 'fresh' to you?



Advertized as 'fresh' meat.

Once you begin to see meat as it really is - a decomposing lump of flesh from a rotting corpse, it will be much easier to adapt a plant based diet. Not discounting the ethical and moral implications - because that's an entire different story.

Did you know? - Eating meat does NOT make you a man! (VIDEO)

Did you know? Did you know there is nothing inherently manly or masculine about hunting and killing or eating animals? The idea of the cavemen being some sort of masculine role model for modern men should be challenged. Perhaps it comes from some idea of being a 'provider' and some romantic image of the hunting male bringing home the prey to feed the family... Providing for family is the paramount responsibility of the man in many cases... let’s just provide the foundation for a healthy family and stop fooling ourselves into thinking we are more manly because of eating a certain way. And the oft used expression that ‘real men eat meat’ is some dark ages stuff. Real men get really healthy and really vital by eating with intelligence and compassion. Only being a man can make us manly... you can't eat yourself to manhood! :)

The opinion of a cross section of people's opinion (source - Sodahead). Survey says...

Only conservatives seem to think so...