Content about Health & Science

British Psychological Society to launch attack on rival profession, casting doubt on biomedical model of mental illness. There is no scientific evidence that psychiatric diagnoses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are valid or useful, according to the leading body representing Britain's clinical psychologists. In a groundbreaking move that has already prompted a fierce backlash from psychiatrists, the British Psychological Society's division of clinical psychology (DCP) will on Monday issue a statement declaring that, given the lack of evidence, it is time for a "paradigm shift" in how the issues of mental health are understood.

The statement effectively casts doubt on psychiatry's predominantly biomedical model of mental distress – the idea that people are suffering from illnesses that are treatable by doctors using drugs. The DCP said its decision to speak out "reflects fundamental concerns about the development, personal impact and core assumptions of the (diagnosis) systems", used by psychiatry.

Dr Lucy Johnstone, a consultant clinical psychologist who helped draw up the DCP's statement, said it was unhelpful to see mental health issues as illnesses with biological causes. "On the contrary, there is now overwhelming evidence that people break down as a result of a complex mix of social and psychological circumstances – bereavement and loss, poverty and discrimination, trauma and abuse," Johnstone said.

The provocative statement by the DCP has been timed to come out shortly before the release of DSM-5, the fifth edition of the American Psychiatry Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The DSM is used in a number of countries to varying degrees. Britain uses an alternative manual, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) published by the World Health Organization, but the DSM is still hugely influential – and controversial.

The manual has been attacked for expanding the range of mental health issues that are classified as disorders. For example, the fifth edition of the book, the first for two decades, will classify manifestations of grief, temper tantrums and worrying about physical ill-health as the mental illnesses of major depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder and somatic symptom disorder, respectively. Some of the manual's omissions are just as controversial as the manual's inclusions. The term "Asperger's disorder" will not appear in the new manual, and instead its symptoms will come under the newly added "autism spectrum disorder".

The writer Oliver James, who trained as a clinical psychologist, welcomed the DCP's decision to speak out against psychiatric diagnosis and stressed the need to move away from a biomedical model of mental distress to one that examined societal and personal factors. Writing in today’s Observer, James declares: "We need fundamental changes in how our society is organized to give parents the best chance of meeting the needs of children and to prevent the amount of adult adversity."

But Professor Sir Simon Wessely, a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and chair of psychological medicine at King's College London, said it was wrong to suggest psychiatry was focused only on the biological causes of mental distress. And in an accompanying Observer article he defends the need to create classification systems for mental disorder. "A classification system is like a map," Wessely explains. "And just as any map is only provisional, ready to be changed as the landscape changes, so does classification."

Homemade yogurt is not going to come out like commercial yogurt, because you aren't going to have all of the additives they use in the store-bought type, but you can make a delicious yogurt to be proud of using this simple recommended method.

Over the years, I have tried many different yogurt recipes, many of them advocating the use of thermometers, water baths, the addition of powdered milk, yogurt making machines and strict attention to timing and detail .

Having had varying degrees of success with them, there were also a few drastic failures.  I am not saying that the various methods won't produce edible yogurt. I am saying that much of it is unnecessary.

All that is needed to produce a lovely and delicious batch of yogurt is about a tablespoonful of yogurt to use as starter for your batch, using yogurt purchased at the store or  borrowed  from a friend or family member, or whey left over from making soft cheese such as Paneer, (equally as easy to make as yogurt), and milk.

It is not necessary to purchase powdered yogurt starter. So how do we make successful yogurt every time?

Bring your milk to a boil - yes that's right, a boil. Let it scald, then cool down to lukewarm - about 120 degrees fahrenheit. After it is cooled to this temperature,  remove the skin off the top and add your starter, stir gently, place in container, place lid on loosely, and place the yogurt where it will be undisturbed for at least 5 hours at a 100 degree temperature.

I use my oven, which has a light in it. If your oven has a pilot light, that will work too. A  40-watt bulb will produce enough heat to curdle your milk, so placing your yogurt under the glare of a lamp or bulb should also work, however, in this instance I would wrap it in a dish towel or other clean cloth to hold in the heat. Check after five hours; it should be ready, but may take a bit more time to set just right  After your yogurt is set,  if you  find it  too loose for your taste, you may strain it through a cheesecloth, which will produce a lovely Greek-type yogurt. However, straining too much fluid off the top will leave your yogurt dry and chalky. I happen to like mine like that, but try to shoot for smooth and creamy. Don't add fruit or anything to your yogurt before it is set. All additions are made at the end of the process.

Homemade Yogurt Recipe

1 qt.milk

1 T. yogurt

Bring milk to a boil, then let cool to lukewarm, approx. 120 degrees F

Add  yogurt when milk cools, stir in gently and pour in container, glass preferably, that has been sterilized in boiling water for 5 mins.

Place in oven or other warm area, where it will be undisturbed for at least 5 hrs.

Enjoy!

Hepatitis is a liver infection caused by a virus.  It is categorized according to disease type.  Each type is different and they are identified by their alphabetical names such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.  The virus can be broken down further into four types; anemic hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, acute hepatitis, and contagious hepatitis.

A common symptom of hepatitis is jaundice.  Other symptoms are enlargement of the liver, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, white paste like stool and darkened coca cola colored urine.  All are treatable if the patient works quickly using natural means. It is usually passed through infected blood, from transfusions and vaccinations.  It can also be contracted through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, stool, food, utensils, and poor hygiene.  Improper medical treatment with exposure to strong chemicals, astringent drugs (used to stop diarrhea), and antibiotic can also weaken the liver.  Overuse of heat generating foods and behaviors such as (working in the hot sun, physical labor, and frequent emotional upsets), can enhance a patient’s conditions.  

Hepatitis B and C have a low rate of cure using allopathic medicine in most cases, because drugs just over load the already toxic liver, and add to the problem.  Another common cause of hepatitis often is the accumulation of stones in the liver.  This can also lead to hepatitis.  In 2007 there were 15,000 deaths related to Hepatitis C.  In the media now they are relating that one of every 33 people born between the years 1945-1965 (baby boomers), may be living with undetected hepatitis C.  Allah is the Best of Knower’s and heals whom HE chooses.  

When medical information is given to the masses via television, radio or internet it often causes the general public to be alarmed.  Some react in fright and even paranoia.  Our trust must always be in Allah Subhanna Wa Ta’Ala.  Every test of the Believers is preordained.  There should be no fear nor should we grieve.  There are a remarkable variety of herbs and remedies at hand, Shukran Allah!

Natural organic foods are the best remedy.  Remove fats and meat from your diet.  Fish, canned foods, white bread, denatured cereals, white rice, sugars and sweets, and chemical products should all be removed.  Cream of wheat, wheateena, and suji with a moderate amount of raw honey can be added.  Bulgar wheat, couscous, and lentils can be added to the diet in moderation.  Fresh carrot juice works wonders.  Cold pressed olive oil is very beneficial to the liver.  Upon rising on an empty stomach, take equal portions of lemon juice and olive oil.  This works as a liver flush and helps to detoxify the liver, whether you have hepatitis or not.  Fruits are favorable (always remember if they are in season), lemons, oranges, berries, and bananas.  I cannot stress the necessity for organic fruits and vegetables enough.

Vegetables that are helpful are radishes, dandelions, leeks, garlic, asparagus, artichoke, celery and onions.

Dairy products are acidic and should be consumed in moderation if at all.  Herbs that are helpful are turmeric, amla, dandelion root, Oregon grape, milk thistle, fenugreek, liverwort, blue flag, agrimony, qussia, boldo leaves, capsicum, and licorice (in moderation}.   

This over abundance of toxins, attack, infects, and dismantles the immune system.   Often these toxins become trapped in one area, making it harder to remove them.  Trapped toxins have many names, warts, boils, tumors, swellings and inflammation.  

Toxemia is the cause of all illnesses.  All diseases are one, in the sense that they stem from imbalance, inflammation, high acidity, excessive mucus, diarrhea, and or constipation.  When your body is riddled with disease one of the aforementioned symptoms are usually present.  When we remove the cause of illness our health returns, InshAllah.  

Modern medicine treats the symptoms and not the cause.  If we continue to poison ourselves our health will gradually depreciate.  Name any illness and the root cause is due to toxic overload.  The aging process is speed up by consuming toxins.   

Everyday foods are laced with impurities.  Fast foods are the worst.  It is important to be aware of what is halal and haram.  Your ibadah will not be accepted consuming haram foods.  Read food labels, what is in McDonalds fries?  What are the ingredients inside of their coffee latte, or their hot apple pie?  Having a diet that is high in toxicity isn’t worth your trouble.   Coffee, powdered and liquid creamers are full of plastic, inorganic dairy products, excess sugar; chemical additives found in processed foods, store bought pies and cookies, fried foods using hydrogenated oils; all processed foods, drugs, food dyes, genetically modified foods (GMO’s), acidic foods such as junk foods, and trans fats are causes of disease.  Trans fats, which are in processed foods, not only age you but they cause chronic inflammation.   

Clinical studies reveal that trans fats also damage the lungs, clog our arteries, increase chances of arthritis, attack our immune system, and cause autoimmune diseases.  Over the last century, scientists have discovered many microorganisms that cause diseases in humans and animals.  

We should always remember that the best treatment for disease is prevention.  If you look at the top ten illnesses you will find that they are all curable, and treatable.  Diseases such as Lupus, Asthma, Cancer, Aids, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Arthritis, Influenza, Eczema, and Hepatitis can be dramatically improved and often erased if you eat for health.  Allow your food to be your medicine.   Remove the cause and your health will return, InshAllah.  

Over eating is another reason for illness, and disease.  Excessive food causes gas pressure in the colon.  Excessive gas in the body interferes with the heart, and the circulation of the blood.  This causes nutrition to be disturbed, and it can also cause intestinal and glandular infections.  If you want to be healthy you should put the best foods you can into your diet.  Read labels, eat organic, Fresh greens, vegetable juices, and grass fed animals.  

Disease creeps into existence because we are not fully aware of what exactly is harmful and toxic.  The sad news is that mostly everything is.  Lotions, perfumes, hand and spray sanitizers such as Lysol, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, room fresheners and toothpaste are all toxic.  If you don’t believe it do your own research.  

So now the question is how healthy do you want to be?  Do you want to be disease free?  Are you able to stay away from the harmful foods and cosmetics?  Are you hooked on the easy way of living to the point of illness?  

There is also the spiritual side to healing.  Your deeds do play a role in your well being.  What you say (cursing and backbiting), looking at pornography, lustful stares, and the things you do, breaking Allah’s Law, affect you too.  

What is meant to happen to you won’t miss you.  Allah Ta Ala is the Healer.  Following the middle course and making a conscience effort to eat better can change your life.  Remember eat less, talk less, and sleep less.  Don’t put so much importance on eating.  Special occasions, celebrations, Jumma, and festivals should be the time for concentration on extraordinary meals.  Cooking shows, fast food, and overeating is making us fat, and sick.  

Medications have so many side effects.  However grabbing a Tylenol is the most popular method of solving an illness.  Maybe someday in the near distant future when drugs are no longer affordable, you may need a list of herbs to cure basically all illnesses.  Here is a list of some of the most important herbs to have in your home;

Rosemary, ginger, thyme, peppermint, garlic, hawthorn, ginkgo biloba, bilberry, myrrh, red raspberry, echinacea, milk thistle, astragalus, ginseng, (for males), don qui (for females), cayenne, sage, red clover, licorice, saw palmetto, eye bright, lemon balm, dandelions, cinnamon, turmeric, black seed, and fennel.

Start collecting them while you can, make a little log for yourself, keep notes of what you used them for.  Become an Herbalist and spread your knowledge and help others do the same.

BINGHAMTON- A few nights ago Layla Laville, loving mother of five, noticed that something was really wrong with her 16 year- old son, Muhayyaddin. For the last 3 months he had been experiencing symptoms of a crushing sensation, hearing odd sounds and seeing a silhouette of a figure that had been causing him extreme fear and agitation –so much so that he had often stayed up at night avoiding sleep and playing audio recitation of the Holy Quran. He was terrified to stay alone and his haggard appearance that particular evening caused her great concern. After the evening prayer she supplicated to God to protect and help her son. A few hours later she received a call from Dr. Hussein Adams who reported that the founder of El Gilani Methodology (EGM), El Sheikh Dr. Mubarik Ali Gilani, had heard something was wrong with her son and wanted to help. Dr. Adams was apprised of the situation a few days prior for Muhayyadin had called him complaining of extreme fear and terror. As soon as he closed his eyes to go to sleep, he began feeling a strong “presence” overtake him. This “thing” would try to strangle him and ultimately wanted to kill him. Dr. Hussein Adams then contacted the Vice Chancellor of IQOU and founder of the El Gilani Methodology, Dr. Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani who stated that this young man had been violating the laws of Almighty God and this had subsequently led to his sin taking form and plaguing him. This violation of the immutable laws of God, as outlined by our beloved prophet Jesus son of the chaste Mary (peace be upon them both), can potentially cause any of humanity—regardless of creed or religion—to suffer similarly. Mr. Laville had thus opened himself to these attacks.

Ms. Laville was instructed to take her son to a psychiatrist to obtain a medical diagnosis. She visited the Binghamton General Hospital where a psychiatrist diagnosed him with a Mood Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). He was told these symptoms were due to extreme stress and was prescribed Tylenol and Benadryl. Upon hearing this Dr. Mubarik Gilani was outraged at these constant misguided efforts on behalf of doctors who continue to propagate grossly inappropriate treatment for psychiatric issues. Less than 30 minutes later Dr. Gilani called and spoke with the patient asking him if he was ready to confess his sins. The boy replied in the affirmative and began to relate things he had done that violated Islamic tenets in and out of the household. It must be noted that although this may appear to be like a confessional, the objective is not for the confession itself but for the curing ability that the admission conveys on an esoteric plane. The patient had to swear never to commit these activities again. He was then asked if he was ready to be cured for which the patient replied in the affirmative. A supplication known as Dua Karima (La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu mena dhalimeen) was recited and Dr. Mubarik ordered the entity to leave the patient’s body. He said in a raised voice, “Leave his body! You have no right to be in his body!” He said, “on behalf of the covenant of Suleiman (peace be upon him), leave this boy, for he has sought and has received forgiveness from God Almighty.” He then said, “if you do not leave this boy’s body, then I will come and take a tight hold of you myself as I take my work very seriously, and I am very good at doing it!!” The entity thus departed! As noted by Dr. Adams, the boy showed immediate changes in behavior. He was immediately relieved of his feelings of heaviness, fear and paranoia. He was told that in order for the treatment to continue to be effective he must:

1. Take an oath never to commit the acts and behaviors that have led to this issue

2. Complete a fifteen day course of invocations (of la ilaha illallah), contemplation of the personal name of Almighty God and recitation of the Holy Quran that is to begin at 5 a.m.

Muhayyadin slept very peacefully that evening. This was welcomed for he hadn’t slept well for many weeks. Ms. Laville has been instructed to follow up with the psychiatrist to offer evidence that proves that these psychiatrists have in fact become executioners. Why is their recourse always to attempt the treatment of mental conditions with organic or physical means like Tylenol, and Benadryl, or other over-the-counter drugs, when this is clearly not merely a physical ailment? They prescribe these drugs without knowledge of the true cause, or true comprehension of the symptoms. Therefore this renders any attempt at treatment or curing ineffective.

As a very kind gesture, the family prepared food and distributed it to members of the community and offered extra prayers as a way of thanking God Almighty for relieving their family member of his affliction. Additionally, they thanked God Almighty for sending His viceroy, Dr. Mubarik Gilani, who does ALL he can to help humanity without seeking anything in return. He does all for the pleasure of the Almighty Creator.

I must admit that the western-medically trained part of me cannot fathom many of the details of this case or the mechanism by which many aspects of EGM really work. I used to be conflicted with this, but by the grace and mercy of God the confusion has been lifted. I believe the problem has to do with the fact that I was attempting to fit what has occurred into the current paradigm of the science involved in my training. Moreover, I believe this was and continues to be the misconception of current psychiatry and of those brilliant psychiatrists who witnessed the successful EGM experiments in Taif, Saudi Arabia when Dr. Gilani first presented this methodology in a scientifically controlled, researched environment. But herein lies the problem. The objective of the current underlying theme of science is to prove that God doesn’t exist and to eliminate Him from any of its precepts. This is seen at the constant objection and antagonism to religion that scientific investigation usually involves. Additionally, much money and effort is put into proving that humans can do what God can do. So because we have the ability to clone cells or do in vitro fertilization, this is equated to our ability to create. This in fact is preposterous for all we are doing in that regard, is taking already created raw materials and putting them in the vicinity of each other thus allowing natural processes to take over.

Many will read this article and not be able to grasp what has occurred. The key is to be a true scientist and be willing to explore the possibilities. If one can conceive that there may be an aspect of science that hasn’t truly been explored, then this is possible. I say this as a proponent of Sufic science ideology which is the understanding of created things as a reflection of the attributes of God as perceived by those who are in tune with Him. This perception cannot be learned and is endowed upon the person by the grace and mercy of the Creator. Current scientific knowledge is based on the perception of the nature of things created, as perceived by man. As this is the case, one may improve the chances for reaching this level of discernment with efforts to prove to the Creator that you are so inclined in this direction of understanding.  Conversely, the current perception of scientific knowledge is based on the nature of things created as perceived by man. The very nature of this idea attempts to exclude the Creator from the equation and in doing so, limits the scope in understanding the reality of created things. When the above mentioned events are viewed from a Sufic scientific perspective, the label of supernatural or inconceivable can be removed and one can see that EGM makes absolute sense. And as always, Only by God, the Almighty and All Glorious, can we be healed.

However, the method of creating chemical additive is surrounded in mystery. The FDA does not require flavor companies to disclose ingredients as long as all the ingredients are considered safe. T his policy allows flavor companies to protect their secret formulas. Scientists can create hundreds and hundreds of synthetic flavors for food manufacturers. The out-come of all of this science can be experienced by you when you eat cheese flavored potato chips, sour cream tortilla chips, artificial butter flavors, banana flavors etc. They are using the human sense of taste and smell to lure us into their web of experimentation. Our human rights have been violated. We deserve to know what is inside of everything we eat. We should care and make wise decisions in our eating and what we apply to our skin. Could you be consuming pork, yes you could? Could you be consuming humans, yes you could! 

The flavor company Senomyx (sin-they DO-mix), has been hired by the Pepsi company, to develop new tastes for their products. This company uses flavor enhancing chemicals using human embryonic kidney tissue. This is considered an ordinary business operation, in their book no worries should be given to this method. The remains of aborted children are being used for profit and many Americans are unaware of it. Using human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) to produce flavor enhancers is approved of by the FDA, and the Obama Administration. This food flavoring isn’t just in Pepsi it is also used in other foods this company sell. Here is a list of foods that the Pepsi company owns: Breakfast Bars, Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, Quaker Chewy, Granola Cocoa Bars, Quaker Dipps Granola Bars, Quaker Fruit & Oatmeal Bars, Quaker Life Bar, Quaker Oatmeal to Go Bars, Coffee Drinks, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Starbucks DoubleShot, Starbucks Frappuccino, Starbucks Iced Coffee, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Dr. Pepper, 7up, Squirt, A&W Root Beer, Canada Dry, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, 

Deja Blue, Diet Rite, Country Time (Under license from Kraft Foods), Gini, Hires, IBC Root Beer, Orangina (Only owned by Pepsico everywhere else Suntory owns it), Welch’s (Under license from Welch’s), Mistic, Mr. & Ms. T, Mott’s, Nantucket Nectars, Nehi, RC Cola, ReaLemon, Rose’s Lime Juice, Schweppes, Snapple, Stewart’s Fountain Classics, Sun Drop, Tahitian Treat,Venom Energy Drink,Vernors and Yoo-hoo. 

What is the difference between artificial ingredients and natural ingredients, not much? We are usually fooled when we read natural ingredients. One of the ingredients that flavor companies call natural is Castoreum. This substance considered a ‘natural flavoring,’ comes from a beaver’s rear end. It is an extract in their anal gland. It can be used in artificial raspberry flavors. This can be in teas, chewing gum, baked goods, soft candy, pudding, frozen dairy products, hard candy, yogurts, or fruit flavored drinks. When you see natural flavoring, you now have a better idea of what you are eating. 

Artificial flavorings are the same as natural flavorings. They are both created inside of a laboratory. Trained professionals or “Flavorists” blend chemicals together. T he flavorist chooses to use natural substances (isolated from nature) or synthetic chemicals to make a fl avor. T hese c hemicals h arm u s. Long term use of any chemical causes toxic overload and grave illnesses. The side effects are endless. Unexplained pain, rashes, high blood pressure, heart disease, autism, auto immune diseases, diabetics, and the list goes on. If you cannot read or pronounce the ingredients in your food why eat it? We must stop polluting our bodies. We were created to worship our Allah Almighty. We must maintain the best of health, and do no harm to ourselves. You have to read the labels on everything. Generation after generation have been polluted unknowingly. We have to stop killing ourselves with the poisons in the food we eat.

(IP) - According to recent reports, psychiatrists are administering prescription drugs generally used for those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The target is towards poor communities in what some have disturbingly called promoting “social justice”.

Dr. Michael Anderson, a pediatrician in Cherokee County, Georgia told the New York Times his diagnoses of ADHD are “made up, an excuse” to hand out the drugs.

“We’ve decided as a society that it’s too expensive to modify the kid’s environment. So we have to modify the kid,” Anderson said.

Adderall and Ritalin are commonly used to ‘treat’ ADHD. It consists of amphetamines that allegedly increases focus and mental-processing speed, and decreases fatigue. Adderall sales in the U.S. soared by more than 3,100 percent between 2002 and 2005, according to the Washington Post. Bootlegged at about $3 to $5 per pill, Adderall is both inexpensive and accessible as reported by the Drug Enquirer.

Experts say they are seeing more doctors prescribe such medicines, like Adderall, to children who may be struggling with school work in an environment that is strapped for cash. A wider trend shows wealthier students taking stimulants to raise their grades, so they can compete for top college spots, as reported by Fox News. Although school budgets and the like thereof may be low or even depleted, one must wonder why not invest in improving the quality of the teachers that are already in the schools, by reviewing teaching methods.

Parents are being fooled into believing that such drugs as Adderall will improve their child’s education, when in fact it may cause more harm than good. Research has shown that the damaging effects of Adderall and similar stimulants can and have caused growth suppression, high blood pressure, and at the most extreme, psychotic episodes.

It is widely acknowledged, and admitted in the New York Times article with Mr. Anderson, that the effects of ADHD drugs on children’s still-developing brains are unknown. Therefore, the risks of the drugs are great. At least one leading psychiatrist, Peter Breggin, believes there is significant evidence that these stimulants can cause atrophy of the brain.

Jon Rappoport of Black Listed News, says that what we are seeing is a direct parallel to the old CIA program, exposed by the late journalist, Gary Webb, who detailed the importing of crack cocaine (another kind of stimulant) into South Central Los Angeles, which went a long way toward destroying that community.

The urgency for self sufficiency is way past due. We owe it to our families, communities and ourselves to be ready for land dependency. Land dependency means everything you need is on your property. Preparedness is having the right tools for any circumstance that arises - herbs for healing, organic seeds, homegrown foods for good health, the right trees and livestock to aid you in living a self sufficient life. Labeling trees and herbs is a necessary first step. Know the plant life on your properties so you can enhance their growth. Walk your lands and label your trees. Get books to identify herbs; be adventurous! Don’t wait for someone else to do it or work as a team. There are a great many medicinal trees that are very helpful. Pines are very beneficial because of their vitamin C content. The needles brew a good tea for colds. Pine sap, (or pitch, as it is often called) is used to heal a great many ailments. Native Indians chewed the sap to alleviate joint pain. It is used for colds, cancer, ulcers, smallpox, and it was once used for syphilis. The Chinese use the resin to treat abscesses. Maple trees are excellent sources of sugar. Learning to tap a tree and rendering down syrup is a must. Maple is known worldwide for its mineral content. South Koreans are known to drink it for a number of health concerns and to cleanse the body. They use it for weak bones, calcium deficiencies, high blood pressure and diabetes. Having a natural source of sugar is very much needed. If you don’t have bee hives, maple syrup is the next best thing. Birch trees are also excellent to have; the bark contains oil that can be distilled and used to treat eczema, and the leaves are used as a tea. They are also good for arthritis, bladder and kidney stones, and as a diuretic. Walnut trees are very helpful when removing parasites. It is important to know what you have. Here is an additional list of trees, shrubs, and herbs to have on hand: burdock, witch hazel trees, slippery elm trees, pine trees, butternut, yarrow, mint, elderberry, black walnut trees, blackberries, blueberry, sassafras, chickweed, horehound, penny royal, lady’s mantle, wild yam, golden rod, birch trees, red raspberry, aloe, oak trees, and the list goes on. They all have medicinal properties and are very sustainable.

Stock up on aluminum free baking soda (if possible), this is a quick first aid product used for burns, bee stings, upset stomach, deodorant, soap, and in the garden to neutralize acidic soil and as a insect repellant. Building outdoor stoves and making root cellars to store your veggies in the winter would be helpful. Canning is another must. The easiest way to can is by using a vacuum sealer. There are some that are very inexpensive. A 50lb bag of rice can fill approximately 29 canning jars and be stored indefinitely. Purchasing canning jars in bulk should be looked into. Soap making is another must-do because we need to stay clean. A good cleanser for clothing is borax. It removes stains well. However, tallow which is inside of most soaps, are derived from animals. Cosmetic companies purchase animal remains from rendering plants. There are rendering plants all across the United States. These plants transform dead animal carcasses from road kill, animal shelters, pet stores and zoo’s into sweet smelling cosmetics. Inside of lotions, makeup, cold creams, and soaps they add lots of perfumes to disguise the smell of the dead animals. There are many books on the topic and videos.

Learning to store your food is another necessity. Drying herbs and vegetables for future use is a practical thing to do. If you are on medication, try hard to search out a natural alternative. It is going to take a lot of hard work but it is possible. The prices of many medications is skyrocketing. Eat living foods, such as wheat grass, barley grass, sunflower sprouts everyday, if possible. I say ‘living foods’ because they have enzymes inside of them that clean the blood very quickly. Barley grass contains vitamins A, C, B1, B12, calcium, potassium, iron, 9 amino acids and folic acid. It is a strong antioxidant and that helps fights cancer. It can be grown indoors all-year -round.

There is a beauty to natural living. It is possible to be healthy and use natural remedies. You should just totally rely on Allah Ta Ala, as HE intended for us all along.

(IP) - On February 27, an unprecedented alliance of more than 60 Occupy groups and 30 environmental, food and corporate accountability organizations joined together for Occupy our Food Supply, a global day of action resisting the corporate control of food systems as well as making healthy food accessible and coming to environmentally friendly solutions.

The call to Occupy our Food Supply, facilitated by Rainforest Action Network, is being echoed by prominent thought leaders, authors, farmers and activists. The theme of Occupy our Food Supply is to create local solutions and resist big agricultural and destructive practices of placing profits over people and the planet.

Prominent thought leaders, authors, farmers and activists including the Indian environmentalist Vandana Shiva, Food Inc.’s Robert Kenner, music legend Willie Nelson, actor Woody Harrelson, and authors Michael Pollan, Raj Patel, Anna Lappe, Gary Paul Nabhan, and Marion Nestle, were amongst others joining the coalition.

“Nothing is more important than the food we eat and the family farmers who grow it,” said Willie Nelson, President of Farm Aid, who is a plaintiff in a suit against agribusiness giant Monsanto. As reported by Common Dreams, Nelson continues, “Corporate control of our food system has led to the loss of millions of family farmers, destruction of our soil, pollution of our water and health epidemics of obesity and diabetes. We simply cannot afford it. Our food system belongs in the hands of many family farmers, not under the control of a handful of corporations.” The lawsuit against Monsanto addresses allegations of harassing and threatening organic farmers with lawsuits of “patent infringement” if any organic farmer ends up with any trace amount of GM seeds on their organic farmland, according to Nation of Change. Judge Naomi Buckwald will hand down her decision on whether the lawsuit will move forward to trial on March 31st.

There is unity between farmers, parents, health care professionals, human rights activists, food justice advocates and food lovers around the world who are increasingly viewing their concerns as different manifestations of the same underlying problem: a food system structured for short term profit instead of the long term health of people and the planet.

Common Dreams states that there have never been so few corporations responsible for more of our food chain. Of the 40,000 food items in a typical U.S. grocery store, more than half are now brought to us by just 10 corporations. Today, Tyson, Cargill and JBS are three companies that process more than 70 percent of all US beef. More than ninety percent of soybean seeds and 80 percent of corn seeds used in the United States are sold by just one other company: Monsanto. Four companies are responsible for up to 90 percent of the global trade in grain; and one in four food dollars is spent at Walmart.