Natural Salmonella Treatments for Food Poisoning

I'm offering this post in response to the recent recall of salmonella tainted peanut butter and some products containing it.  My family and I were affected by the tainted product and personally, this is the third time I've had food poisoning.  So, I'd like to offer you a compilation of the best natural treatment advice for salmonella or other food poisoning that I've found, some of which I've had results with.

• Balancing beneficial intestinal flora should be a first line of defense.  Probiotics such as  Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, and/or Bifidobacterium are available as powders, tablets, or capsules from health food stores; soy yogurt with live L. acidophilus cultures can also be eaten.   Because dairy products are generally harder on your digestive system, I recommend non-dairy yogurt, especially when your immune system is stressed.
• Fasting or a liquid-only diet can be beneficial for food poisoning.   Most likely your body has let you know this already by ridding itself of everything you attempt to ingest.  Sometimes even plain water seems like too much for the affected stomach to take.  I've found that electrolites drinks stay down easier; such as vitamin water, or even water with a little lemon.  Just sip slowly for best results.
•  Homeopathic treatment can work very effectively in the treatment of Salmonella food poisoning. Some examples of remedies commonly used are Chamomilla, Nux vomica, Ipecac, and Colchicum.  Consult a homeopathic practitioner for correct dosage.
• Pharmecutical grade charcoal tablets can help absorb toxins and remove them from the digestive tract through bowel elimination.  These can be foud at your local health food store.
• Bentonite clay works much in the same way as charcoal in that it is poreus and locks toxins in itself like a sponge.  Can cause constipation though, so drink plenty of fluids if you take this.
•  Natural sugars in breast milk (and some fruits and vegetables such as bananas, berries, asparagus, garlic and wholegrains ) could be an effective treatment for salmonella and other food poisoning bugs, scientists say at Telegraph UK.  This could explain why my 16 month old nurseling who also ate the Peanut Butter Larabar was unaffected.  Breast milk contains prebiotics which are sugars that feed the beneficial bacteria in the stomach.  Salmonella can not be transfered to the baby through the mother's milk.

Remember that unprocessed, plant based foods in their whole form such as fruits, vegetables and grains; when properly washed have the least risk of carrying food-borne illness.  I used to think that only meat and dairy products were at risk for poisonous bacteria; but as we've seen in recent years, many vegetable fields are being contaminated by runoff from factory farms.  As with the General Mills/Larabar incident, even processed vegan foods are not guarenteed to be free of harmful bacteria.  If you buy produce locally when possible and wash it yourself, those extra measures will help safeguard your health.

Eve’s top 10 ways to Curb Climate Change

The Internet is now blooming with tips on ways to help curb climate change.  This trend is reflective of an exciting change in our thought patterns!  Please read on for a snapshot of Eve's top 10:

1. Forgo Flesh Foods. According to a 2006 United Nations report, Animal Agriculture has outpaced the transportation sector as the number one climate change contributor.
2. Bypass the Byproduct. Kin of the meat industry is the dairy industry.  Consuming animal byproducts supports its evil cousin,  planet scorching animal agri-business.
3. See the Sinister Side of Seafood. The near-depletion of certain fish species, dead zones, coral bleaching, mammals such as whales and dolphins going kamikaze on our beaches... skip the seafood.  Besides, it's largely contaminated with mercury.  And now that you're a vegan,
4. Share your earth-friendly diet with others and create your own support network.  Our culture values it's traditional and familiar habits.  By sharing with others the beneficial knowledge of choosing plant based foods, you are creating a supportive atmosphere for positive change for yourself, your friends and family and for the entire planet!
5. Buy Organic, Support Organic whenever possible.  The health of our soil determines the quality of our food, which determines the quality of our heath!   In recent years we have seen the demand for organic food and goods rise dramatically. Sometimes, when I pass the organic produce section of my local Wal-mart, I silently thank the persons who supported organic goods before me, who paid the higher prices and led retailers to provide better options and drop organic prices.
6. Drive a hybrid. The transportation sector is the second largest contributor to climate change.
7. Plant trees. Trees absorb carbon.  Preserving forests is just as important, also trees help mitigate the effects of local climate related disasters by holding on to soil, absorbing the impact of waves, winds, etc.
8. Take your head out of the sand. Climate change is frightening, let's look our fears in the eye.
9. Green your thinking. Take the time to consider the impacts of every small choice.  Also, think positive!  We'll get through this, with a lot of hard work, together.
10. Have faith. Whatever your's is, now is the time to have it.