Camu camu (Mycaria dubia)is a bush that grows in black water rivers, especially in those abandoned courses called "cochas," ecosystems of great social and economic importance for the Amazonian jungle of Peru. The fruit contains powerful phytochemicals with health benefits, including the amino acids serine, valine, and leucine, and more Vitamin C than any other known plant in the world. The camu-camu fruit is approximately 2 centimeters in diameter and has a purplish red skin with a yellow pulp. Camu camu fruit contains 30 to 60 times more Vitamin C than an orange. It has astringent, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, emollient and nutritional properties, and also contains important levels of beta carotene, calcium, iron, niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin and thiamin.
Camu camu is listed second in effectiveness as an anti-depressant. One alternative health care provider in New York City has had twenty patients on Zoloft and Prozac gradually wean themselves off these medications while taking camu camu and they have succeeded in avoiding depression. Good results have also been noted for patients who are anxious, talkative, and those with panic attacks.
Traditionally, camu-camu has been used to:

• support the immune system
• maintain excellent eyesight
• create beautiful skin
• ward off viral infections
• support strong collagen, tendons and ligaments
• decrease inflammation
• improve respiratory (lung) health
• help maintain optimal clarity of mind in times of stress and anxiety

Another case of "greenwashing" has been uncovered as of last month after laboratory screening to find the greenest laptop computers. Despite their past claims, major toxic chemicals--from lead to PVC--have been found in brand-new laptops from five of the biggest manufacturers. What now?
Some of the best-known laptops are contaminated with some of the worst toxic chemicals. Of the five top brands Greenpeace tested, Hewlett-Packard and Apple laptops showed the worst contamination levels.
Results for HP revealed high levels of a number of chemicals in its components, in particular the highest levels by far of PBDEs (a class of Brominated Fire Retardants) including something called decaBDE. HP's website claims it removed decaBDE from its products years ago. Either HP is lying or HP needs to ask its suppliers some tough questions. Lead was also found in the soldering.
Apple has recently launched its new range of MacBooks, but what you also get with a new MacBook is the highest level of another type of toxic flame retardant, tetrabromobisphenol A a known endocrine disruptor. Apple claims it is looking for alternatives, but for now it appears to be using far more of this toxic chemical than its competitors.
Dr. Kevin Brigden, of the Greenpeace Science Unit, was alarmed by the results: "During the sampling process it was remarkable to note that, whether Mac or PC, once you by-pass the sleek and cool design of these computers, hazardous substances are a component common to all."
Electronics is a fast moving, innovative industry that can respond quickly to users' wishes and new trends. It's high time it moved quickly to make greener, longer-lasting products to help reverse the growing trend in toxic e-waste. >>>> SOURCE

RECOMMENDED LINKS:
Green Living Magazine's Green Guide
Vital Force Anti-EMF Computer Crystal

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse estimates that each year, nearly 100,000 Americans are newly diagnosed with kidney failure. More than 100,000 currently have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) due to diabetes. And, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an estimated 650,000 Americans will have kidney failure by 2010 and will require renal replacement therapy, either ongoing renal dialysis or a kidney transplant. Without one of these therapies, ESRD is fatal. Yikes! Well, it's good to know there are ways to keep your kidneys healthy to avoid going down that road.
Part of knowing how to care for our kidneys is knowing what they do. The kidneys excrete a variety of waste products produced by metabolism, including the nitrogenous wastes: urea (from protein catabolism) and uric acid (from nucleic acid metabolism). The kidneys regulate the pH (potential hydrogen--acid/alkaline balance) of the blood, and ultimately control blood pressure.
Paramount to good care of the kidneys is to reduce the toxic load they have to deal with, especially proteins and chemical contaminants which can build up in the kidneys, slowing their function, increasing acidity and raising blood pressure. So, consider lightening the diet--instead of eating meat everyday, try going vegetarian for a day or so a week. A vegetable/fruit-based diet allows the body system alkanize via the kidneys, lowering blood pressure, and contributing to a sense of well-being. Also, drinking enough water so that the urine is a light color of yellow. A whole lot of water is not necessarily good for the kidneys, and it is always better to drink small amounts of water throughout the day, rather than gulping down a quart or two because you're thirsty. This just creates kidney stress.
Also, consider using our Carrot Top Tea to help clear the kidneys and urinary tract (as well as the prostate). We have had great success in lessening kidney-related lower back pain, and bladder issues by using the tea. Carrot tops along with the parsley in our formula have a very calming affect on the nervous system, and contribute to alkanizing the blood, taking stress off the kidneys. >>>> TRY SOME!

Maca is a superfood-food herb with an outstanding ability to increase energy, endurance and strength. Maca is a favorite of raw-foodists, vegetarians, adventurers, extreme athletes, dessert chefs and food alchemists. Maca is a member of the cruciferous family of plants. It is a distant relative of the common radish. The maca plant produces leaves that grow close to the ground and the plant produces a small, off-white flower typical to the cruciferous family. The main part of interest for this plant, however, is the radish-like tuberous root.
Maca's reputation as a powerful strength and stamina enhancer as well as libido-enhancing food-herb stretches back into prehistory. Maca, like goji berries and ginseng, is a powerful adaptogen, which means it has the ability to balance and stabilize the body's systems (cardiovascular system, nervous system, musculature, lymphatic system, etc.). As an adaptogen, maca can provide more energy if it is needed, but if it is not, it will not overstimulate. Adaptogens also boost immunity and increase the body's overall vitality by 10-15% according to most studies. Rather than addressing a specific symptom, adaptogens are used to improve the overall adaptability of the whole body to diverse and challenging situations and stress.
Peruvian research claims that maca improves memory, increases oxygen in the blood, improves the function of neurotransmitters and increases libido. One of the researchers heading current studies on maca, Peruvian biologist Gloria Chacon de Popivici, Ph.D., suggests that maca alkaloids act on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and the adrenals. She has theorized that by activating these endocrine glands maca is able to increase energy, vitality and libido. Other researchers indicate that the effect of maca is more basic and that when the body is well-nourished, libido rises and depressing attitudes lower.
Maca has major flavor notes that are sweet and full. It has some minor taste qualities reminiscent of other cruciferous vegetables; these add some mildly spicy elements. Maca is a powerful superfood-food-herb and should be consumed with respect. If you really love maca, use 1-2 tablespoons each day and it is recommended that you take a week off during every month of consistent use.
That being said, in toxicity studies conducted in the U.S., maca showed absolutely no toxicity and no adverse pharmacological effects. In animal studies, the more maca animals consumed, the stronger and more sexually active they became. In spite of all this, moderation is advised.
Today maca is becoming increasingly popular in Peru among native and non-native people, and the effects of maca are creating market demand in Japan, Europe and the United States. Maca cultivation is on the increase, a number of government experts and agencies are actively promoting maca agriculture and development, and maca is poised to be a major botanical product on the international superfood and herbal scene.