You've always enjoyed having a real Christmas Tree. It brings back memories of the past, nostalgic family feelings for most, however did you realize that it also brings trillions of mold spores as well?!!!
Did you know that pine trees begin to decay and produce mold spores that release mycotoxin into the air as soon as they are cut? It only takes a few short days for the spores to start duplicating and building up in an indoor environment, including homes, schools and offices.
Have you ever noticed that you feel sick or maybe you already know that you have been exposed to mold and when you bring out the Christmas decor or go shopping for that perfect Christmas Tree every year you start to feel a lot of mold illness symptoms coming back?
Remember, we don't have to give up our holidays to enjoy life again...we just need to alter our shopping purchases and make sure that the items we are bringing into our homes or are storing in our basements and attics are not going to re-contaminate our homes or working environments.
Some research shows that mold counts in indoor environments can raise mold and spore counts as high as 5 times the normal "range" in as little as a week or two after bringing it indoors.
In a study conducted by The National High School Journal of Science"Household air samples were taken from families in the Washington Township, New Jersey area both before and during the winter holiday season. Data shows that there is a substantial (100%) increase in the number of mold spores in the air when a family introduces a live Christmas tree into the home. Families that use artificial Christmas trees also experienced an increase in mold, and those that did not use any type of tree during the winter holiday season did not see an appreciable increase in airborne mold. 42% of participants with underlying respiratory disorders (such as allergies) experienced an increase in their symptoms when there was a live tree, versus 13% if an artificial tree was used. These results indicate live Christmas trees carry mold which causes a seasonal flare-up of allergy symptoms in susceptible individuals."
It is well-known that people exhibit crazy symptoms around the holidays that are very much in alignment with a toxic mold exposure. Symptoms range from shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, throat and eye burning, asthma flares, itching skin, fevers, rashes and new food allergies. Because of this, we highly recommend that people NOT purchase freshly cut trees but opt for artificial trees that they can properly clean each year to minimize the possibility of an exposure.
If you are absolutely set on buying or cutting a fresh tree, the only way to minimize the effects of an exposure would be to only have the tree in the home for no more than "4 DAYS".
Cross Contamination
The issue of cross contamination is also a very serious issue. Most often, christmas decorations from years-past can be moldy and become a NEW exposure every single year. The dangers of keeping ornaments and christmas crafts that are made of porous materials are that they can hold mold spores that can lay dorment inside and on the surface of these items all year round and then are brought out and disturbed into the open air during the holiday season. Moisture from shower areas, snowy and rainy weather, steam from cooking pots, humidifiers or even water based essential oil diffusers can trigger an expansion of a mold spore and result in growth and a new colony of toxic mold.
If you have decorations or old trees in storage, make sure to bring them outside and take inventory of our "porous" and "non-porous" decor and throw out the "porous" items and do not bring them back into the home. Although it may be hard to part with memories from the past, such as precious ornaments made by your children or grandchildren, always keep in mind that your health and the future health of your family and pets is more important than a memory from yesteryear. Here are some ideas to replace old contaminated moldy decorations with new "non-porous" options that are easy to clean each year and will not grow mold.
Use Glass Ornaments
Glass is "non-porous" and these type of decorations can be washed in either borax, ammonia, baking soda or anti-fungal essential oils each year before putting them on your tree. Because of the non-porous nature of the material mold will not grow on them and mycotoxin can be easily neutralized by washing them annually in the solutions that are above mentioned. You can buy glass ornamentsHERE
Use Metal Ornaments and Decorations
Metal is a "non-porous" material that can be washed in either borax, ammonia, baking soda or anti-fungal essential oils annually before you bring them out to display them in your home. Just keep metal away from conducting electricity is probably the only warning we can give. You can buy metal Christmas Decor HERE
Use Artificial Christmas Trees
Artificial trees can be washed annually to help prevent and minimize toxic mold expossures. Avoid trees with wooden trunks or bases as wood can harbor mold spores because it is considered a porous material. You can buy artificial christmas trees HERE
How to clean an artificial christmas tree for mold and mycotoxin: Start with filling a bathtub with water a few inches from the top, add 3-4 cups of "Clear" Ammonia. Submerge the entire tree and stand/base for about 10-15 minutes (there's no magic timing for this). This will neutralize any mycotoxin that may be present anywhere on the tree or stand. Let the ammonia water down the drain and rinse both the tree, sstand and tub out thorougly. With a second round, fill a bathtub with water a few inches from the top and this time add 2-3 cups of borax or baking soda. This second rinse will make sure that any mold spores are destroyed and no longer an issue.
Use Beads for Garland
Use plastic, glass, porcelain, metal or glass beads for garland instead of the furry looking garland or real tree branches that might be more prone to spores or mycotoxin. You can buy beads HERE
Avoid Using These Types of Christmas Decor
Real Trees
Real Garlands or Wreaths
Fuzzy Garland
Popcorn string garland
Anything made with cotton
Wooden ornaments that are NOT sealed with varnish (varnish adds protection to the pores and puts a barrier between the wood/food that mold requires to grow) so in other words: raw wood decor and ornaments.
Decor made with tree trunks or branches (this is super popular, but bad for mold exposure)
Decor made with moss
Wooden baskets
Firewood (can be highly contaminated)
Leather decor
Anything made from paper
Storing christmas decorations in cardboard boxes
Keeping cristmas decorations in wet and humid areas of the home
Stuffed animals
Pillows (anything material thicker than an inch)
Cards and wrapping paper
Felt
Foam any kind
Yarn
If you don’t feel well during the holidays, your
Christmas tree & decor could be one of the causes.
Comment below and let us know if you have other ideas for non-porous Christmas decor
Posted by: Surviving Toxic Mold AT 11:02 am
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Houseplants can sometimes hold a sentimental place in our homes and hearts. I know some of the plants in my home were given to me by close friends and relatives. It can be heartbreaking to think that the "legacy of the plant" can't be saved, but I'm here to tell you that they can be saved!!!
When it comes to finding sources for mold around the home most people NEVER think to look in their potted plants as a source for mold.
In general, caring for houseplants only takes little time and a little bit of "green thumb" effort; but there is a potential problem that can be lurking in your pots and even on the leaves of your treasured houseplants and can become a serious health threat to not only you and your children but also your pets. I'm referring to MOLD. Mold growing in your houseplants' soil, or sometimes mold growing directly on your plants' leaves, is an issue that can be harmful for both your plants and yourself.
Here are some solutions below that you can use to get rid of mold in potting soil and on the leaves of houseplants and learn how to keep it from coming back.
More than 8,000 species of fungi cause plant diseases, but chemical fungicides can be harmful to other plants, children, pets and the environment. Tea tree oil is a natural product that has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial for a wide variety of conditions. If used properly, tea tree oil can help control fungal diseases on plants without many of the dangerous side-effects of chemical fungicides.
Fungicide Effects
Most components of tea tree oil are active against a range of fungi, with terpinen-4-ol the most active agent in the oil. A study published in 2007 in "Letters in Applied Microbiology" demonstrated that tea tree oil was effective at fighting the fungi that cause Fusarium head blight in wheat, barley and oats, as well as barley leaf stripe and powdery mildew. Other studies have found tea tree oil beneficial in controlling fruit rots, anthracnose and leather rot in strawberries; early blight disease in tomato plants; alternaria solani on potato; and cercospora beticola on sugarbeets.
Uses for the Home Garden
To prevent fungal growth on plants and leaves, combine 2 tablespoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a "GLASS" spray bottle (never use a plastic spray bottle with essential oils because the oils can break down the plastic as it sits in the bottle over time) and spray plants every three to seven days.To avoid burning oil-treated leaves, spray in the morning and less frequently during hot dry spells. If plants already have blight on leaves but not stems or fruit, pull off affected leaves and spray the entire plant. Tea tree oil also repels whiteflies that excrete a sticky honeydew causing sooty mold fungi to grow on foliage. While generally safe for humans, tea tree oil can be toxic if swallowed. It can also cause allergic reactions if you're allergic to balsam, benzoin or plants in the myrtle family.
Preventing Future Infections
Remove infected plant materials and leaves around plants and dispose in the garbage to avoid spreading disease. When using tools to cut diseased wood, dip the tools into a tea tree oil solution to disinfect them. Keep weeds away from plants, as they can harbor insects and pathogens. Water plants regularly but avoid overwatering, which can encourage fungal growth. Use a variety of plants since fungi tend to be plant-specific, and purchase certified disease-free seeds and cuttings when possible.
Moisten a microfiber cloth (like these) in warm water. Mold on a living plant's leaves can usually be wiped away satisfactorily with a damp microfiber cloth (never use a paper towel because paper towels are considered food for mold). Rinse the microfiber cloth out after dampening it to prevent drips.
Wipe the moldy leaves down with the "WET" microfiber disposable towel. Supporting the underside of each leaf with your free hand, wipe the tops with the wet towel. This should remove all of the visible mold. Do not attempt this with a dry towel, as this will stir the mold spores into the air and worsen the problem. Replace the microfiber towel as necessary. As the towel accumulates mold and dust from the plant's leaves, discard it and use a fresh one. When all the leaves are wiped down, you can allow the plant to air dry, preferably in a well-ventilated area.
Scoop away the top layer of moldy soil. If your potting soil shows mold growth, it is most likely confined to the top half-inch (1 cm) or so. Use a spoon to scoop this moldy top layer into a sealable plastic bag for disposal.
Replace the soil with fresh potting soil. After removing all of the visible mold, top the pot off with fresh potting mix. If the mold growth was particularly severe, it is best to instead replace all of the plant's soil.
Add a natural anti-fungal to the houseplant soil. Even when you remove visible mold, plenty of mold spores inevitably remain. To help prevent the immediate reappearance of mold from these spores, you can sprinkle a bit of Organic (Non-GMO) cinnamon onto the top layer of soil. Cinnamon acts as a natural deterrent to mold growth, and is harmless to the plant.
Place a layer of drainage stone in each plant pot. The primary culprit for mold growth on houseplants is soil that remains wet for too long. Each pot should have a thin layer of gravel at the bottom to allow the potting mix to drain thoroughly. This keeps your houseplant healthier and minimizes its susceptibility to mold.
Is Your House Making You Sick? - A Beginner's Guide to Toxic Mold by Andrea Fabry
Are you curious about the hype over toxic mold? Have you experienced a mold exposure and are unsure of your next step? Are people telling you mold is everywhere and it's no big deal? Are you afraid your indoor environment may be negatively affecting your health?
Andrea Fabry, former journalist, certified Building Biology Practitioner, and mother of nine, has a passion to empower people to ask good questions and seek answers. In 2008, undetected water damage created a toxic mold crisis that cost her family their home and their health.
In 2008, undetected water damage created a toxic mold crisis that cost her family their home and their health. Andrea has seen the impact toxic mold can have on children and adults alike. She understands the confusion, myths, and lack of information surrounding toxic mold.
In this eye-opening resource, you'll hear more about Andrea's story and benefit from her years of research as she shares principles for identifying and remediating toxic mold, effective mold testing methods, the symptoms of mold exposure, health recovery strategies, and much more.
Is Your House Making You Sick? A Beginner's Guide to Toxic Mold offers hope and help for homeowners, tenants, landlords, and anyone concerned about indoor air quality and its effect on human health.
Posted by: Jennifer Cannon AT 10:30 pm
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Stages of Mycotoxicosis: For Inhalation of Mycotoxin
By Dr. William Croft
The three Stages (1-3) ranging from lower to higher severity of poisoning were modified according to exposure via the air as opposed to ingestion already established (Forgacs et al., 1962; Joffe, 1971). A separate Stage of convalescence occurs when a patient is completely removed from the contaminated premises and the source of mycotoxin or mold spores.
Stage 1:
The primary changes are in the brain, respiratory and immune systems, mucus membranes and gastrointestinal tract. Signs and symptoms may include burning sensation in the mouth, tongue, throat, palate, esophagus, and stomach, which is a result of the action of the toxin on the mucous membranes and skin in the exposed areas.
Moist areas of the body armpits, under breasts, belt line and groin are more sensitive or first affected. Patients may report burning within the eyes, ears and nose. Patients also reported that their tongues felt swollen and stiff. Mucosa of the oral cavity may be hyperemic. Mild gingivitis, stomatitis, glositis, and esophagitis developed. Inflammation, in addition to gastric and (small and large) intestinal mucosal, resulted in vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Excessive salivation, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue and tachycardia were also present. There may be fever and sweating. The respiratory system develops burning sensations and congestion. Severe exposure to mycotoxinwithin the lungs may lead to congestion, edema and failure, due to caustic action. Body temperature remains normal and controllable bythe patient. The poisoning appears and disappears relatively quickly in this Stage with the exception of, lungs and central nervous system. Initially (Stage 1), the patient's symptoms are very uncomfortable or painful. As the poisoning continues and the patient progress toward Stage 2, he or she becomes accustomed to the presenceof the mycotoxin and a quiescent period follows due to lack of nerve sensation. Depending on exposure levels, the first Stage may last from 3 - 9 days. In scoring the 50 signs and symptoms listed in Tables-1 and 2, an average score range of 20-45 represents Stage 1.
Stage 2:
This Stage is often called the latent Stage or incubation period because the patient feels apprehensive, but is capable of normal activity in the beginning of this Stage. Every organ of the body is affected by degeneration and necrosis with continued exposure. The primary target organs for an individual become evident over time, due to biological variation.
These are disturbances in the central and autonomic nervous systems resulting in headaches, mental depression, loss of short-term memory, loss of problem-solving ability, various neuropsychiatric manifestations, meningism, severe malaise and fatigue, narcolepsy, loss of temperature control, hyperesthesia or numbness of body areas, and cerebellar dysfunction including hypotonia, attitude and gait, dysmetria, asthenia, vertigo, disturbances of speech, and loss of balance (Best, 1961).
Spinal corddegeneration may also be observed in gait and reflex abnormalities,such as the ability to drive vehicles, ride bicycles or pass sobriety tests (inability to tolerate ethyl alcohol).
Attention deficient disorder may be observed in children.
Various systems may include:
Eyes:visual disturbances, floating objects, light sensitive, lack of tears, burning and itching.
Ears:burning, itching, and loss of hearing. Immune and hematopoietic: progressive loss of white and red cells including a decrease of platelets and hemoglobin, and high susceptibility to bacterial, mycotic and viral infections, debilitating chemical and allergies.
Gastrointestinal:metallic taste in mouth, tooth loss, gum problems, stomatitis, sores in gums and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, excessive flatulence, abdominal distention, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and diabetes mellitus.
Respiratory:burning and bleeding from nasal membranes, respiratory difficulty, asthma, extreme susceptibility to cold, flu and pneumonia.
Skin:thinning of hair on head, burning on face, rashes, irritation, and edema.
Renal:proteinuria, possible hematuria.
Reproductive: irregular ovarian cycles, increased menstrual flow, fibroid growths in uterus, cystic development inmammary glands, and tumors of mammary and prostate glands.
Musculoskeletal:somatitis, muscle weakness, spasms, cramps, joint pain, enlargement of joints in hand, and clubbing of fingers.
Cardiovascular:chest pain, palpitations, ruptures of atrial walls, myocardial infection and aneurysm of arteries. The skin and mucous membranes may be icteric, pupils dilated, the pulse soft and labile, and blood pressure may decrease or increase. The body temperature does not exceed 38 degree C and the patient may be afebrile, or chilled. Visible hemorrhagic spots may appear on the skin.
Mental and Emotional: Thoughts of suicide may be prominent in the person's mind at this time or anytime in Stage 2. Human bonding is very important for survival.
Degeneration and hemorrhages of the vessels marks the transition from the second to the third Stage of the disease and may not be consistently observed. The degeneration of the vital organs including serious respiratory insufficiency or asthma and CNS degeneration will take the patient into Stage three along with development of necrotic angina.. If exposure continues, depending on exposure levels, Stage 2 may continue from weeks to months or even years until the symptoms of the third Stage develop. Evaluating the 50 signs and symptoms (Table- 1 and 2) by assigning a score (0-least intense to 5-most intense or severe) to each symptom, we have determined that an average score range of 45-180 represents Stage 2.
Stage 3: Severe degeneration of the vital organs. The transition from the second to the third Stage is sudden.
In this Stage, the patient's resistance is already low, and violent severe symptoms are present, especially under the influence of stress, or associated with physical exertion and fatigue.
The first visible sign of this Stage may be lung, brain or heart failure (heart attack), with or without the appearance of petechial hemorrhage on the skin of the trunk, the axillary and inguinal areas, the lateral surfaces of the arms and thighs, the face and head, and in serious Cases, the chest. Thepetechial hemorrhages vary from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in diameter. There is increased capillary fragility and any slight trauma may cause the hemorrhages to increase in size.Aneurysms of the brain or aorta may be observed by angiography. Hemorrhages may also be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue, and on the soft palate and tonsils. There may be severe interstitial thickening or scarring of the lungs, or respiratory failure. Nasal, gastric and intestinal hemorrhages and hemorrhagic diathesis may occur.
Necrotic angina begins in the form of catarrhalsymptoms and necrotic changes soon appear in the mouth, throat, and esophagus with difficulty and pain on swallowing. Severe degeneration of the skin on the face, eyelids, and loss of lashes is also often present. Necrotic lesions may extend to the uvula, gums, buccal mucosa, larynx, vocal cords, lungs, stomach, and intestines and other internal organs such as the liver and kidneys and are usually contaminated with a variety of avirulent bacteria. Bacteria infection causes an unpleasant odor from the mouth due to the enzymatic activity of bacteria on proteins. Areas of necrosis may also appear on the lips and on the skin of the fingers, nose, jaws, and eyes. Regional lymph nodes are frequently enlarged. Esophageal lesions may occur and involvement of the epiglottis may cause laryngeal edema andaphonia (loss of voice). Death may occur by strangulation.
Patients may suffer an acute parenchymatous hepatitis accompanied by jaundice. Bronchopneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhages, and lung abscesses are frequent complications. Tumors may develop of various organs, including skin, urinary bladder, brain, mammary gland, bone, immune, liver, prostate, possibly resulting in death.
The most commoncause of death is brain failure due to both direct effects of the mycotoxin on the central nervous system and indirect effects due to respiratory failure or lack of oxygen to the brain caused by the severe caustic inflammation (fibrinous exudation) reaction with the lung tissue, rendering it non-functional. Again, using the scoring system represented in Tables-1 and 2, an average score of greater or equal 180 represents Stage 3. Stage of Convalescence: The course and duration of this Stage 3 depends on the intensity of the poisoning and complete removal of the patient from the premises or source of mycotoxin. Therefore, the duration of the recovery period is variable. There is considerable cellular necrosis and scarring to all major organs of the body in which cells will not regenerate, including the brain, spinal cord, eyes, lung, heart, liver, pancreas, kidney, adrenal, and blood vessels. If the disease is diagnosed during the first Stage, hospitalization is usually unnecessary, but allergies and asthma should be monitored closely. If the disease is diagnosed during the second Stage and even at the transition from the second to third Stages, early hospitalization may preserve the patient's life. If however, the disease is only detected during the third Stage, death cannot be prevented in most Cases.
1. Croft, W. A., Jastromski, B. M., Croft, A. L., and Peters, H. A., "Clinical Confirmation of Trichothecene Mycotoxicosis in> Patients Urine , In: Journal of Environmental Biology 23(3), 301-320 (2002). 2. Forgacs, J., and W. T. Carll : Mycotoxicoses. In : Advances in Veterinary Science. Academic Press, New York and London, pp 273-372 (1962). the "21st Annual International Symposium on Man and His Environment in Health and Disease." To read all of the papers presented, go to: http://www.aehf.com/articles/2003Symp.htm.
DO YOU NEED HELP or Want to know how to get well?
Start healing today and go to our basic toxic mold plan HERE
Posted by: Surviving Toxic Mold AT 12:00 am
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1 Green Zucchini (Organic)
1 CUP each of the following cut up vegetables:
(All organic) Red Pepper, Celery, Broccoli
Directions
Fill up stock pot or slow cooker 3/4 full. For every quart of water add one tablespoon of organic olive oil. So for 2 gallons I use 4 tablespoons of oil. Add minced garlic. Add Himalayan Pink salt for taste. DO NOT over salt.
Add Chicken to stock pot and cook on low/med heat for one hour until chicken pulls apart. This will make a nice chicken stock.
Blend mince the Home Grown Basil and Oregano and add to pot. Add remaining cut up vegetables (EXCEPT the ZUCCHINI) and cook on low to medium heat for 30 minutes. Add zucchini and cook for an additional 15 min. Remove from heat immediately.
Add, Serve or freeze in individual ziploc bags for easy fast soups.
Meal Planner that I use
Plant To Eat honestly is the most awesome tool I have ever used on the internet that let's me customize my meal plan according to my diet restrictions and plan breakfasts, lunches and dinners (even snacks) that correlate with my Mold Detox Diet. Sometimes a one-size fits all approach does not work when going on a detox diet. Some might have food sensitivities that others may not have and so on.
With this tool I am able to 100% costomize my meals and schedule them perfectly so that I don't cheat and my mold-free goals become more of a reality instead of relying on my will power or lack of meal planning to get me through this detox period. GO HERE or click on the banner above and you can usually get a 30-day free trial then it's only $4.95 a month thereafter...like I said, nothing has ever made this whole mold detox diet more simple than Plan To Eat has for me.
According to researchers and toxicologists Trichothecenes are some of the worst mycotoxins in the world. They are 3-4 times more potent and deadly than other mycotoxins such as Ochratoxin, Aflatoxin and Citrinin.
Scientists in the agricultural industry are always looking for ways to neutralize/denature the mycotoxin in food that is fed to livestock and therefore reduce the likelihood of mycotoxin contamination in animals that we eat. We can learn a lot from their studies and apply them to humans and mold exposures from indoor damp environments.
Green Tea
After doing some general research we ran into a great study done in 2011 showing that ECGC found in Green Tea actually reduced the toxicity of Trichothecene mycotoxins.
Mycotoxin Res. 2011 Nov;27(4):281-5. doi: 10.1007/s12550-011-0105-8. Epub 2011 Jun 29. Epigallocatechin gallate suppresses the cytotoxicity induced by trichothecene mycotoxins in mouse cultural macrophages.FULL LINK ON PUBMED HERE
Trichothecene mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by a number of fungi including Fusarium species, which adversely affect lymphocytes. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and HT-2 toxin (HT-2) belong to the trichothecene group of mycotoxins and the occurrence of cereals and foodstuffs with these compounds are serious health problems. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the main components in greentea catechins, on DON- or HT-2-induced cytotoxicity in mouse macrophages. EGCG had protective effects against the trichothecene-induced cytotoxicities of both mycotoxins. Additionally, EGCG suppressed the DON-induced activation of caspase-3/7, which is an indicator of apoptosis. These results indicate that EGCG might be useful in protection against DON- or HT-2-induced cell death, suggesting that EGCG could contribute to reducing the toxicities of trichothecenes.
Green Tea Tips:
Cheap Green Tea is not quality tea
Paying a higher premium for quality tea is medicinally worthwhile. There are many cheap versions of green teas which are not grown and picked from the area where the tea originated from nor is it processed in traditional ways. As a result many lower quality green teas do not contain the level of antioxidants. This makes it difficult for the tea drinker to experience the true healing properties of a good green tea. Perhaps more importantly, authentic methods of producing tea were developed over time, and are responsible for the most optimal way of getting the most medicinal benefit out of a specific type of tea leaf. Ignoring these production methods, in favor of cheaper mass-produced tea bag versions, almost always results in less of the EGCG and antioxidants that help to reduce the toxicity of trichothecenes.
Never use tea that is packaged in tea bags
In 2013 Dr. Mercola, world-renown MD and natural physician and researcher wrote a detailed article on the dangers of toxins used in the production of tea bags. In this article he pointed out that there are plastic and cancerous compounds in tea bags. You can read the full article HERE
You would think that something used as food that people consume would be free of toxic ingredients, but not so according to Dr. Mercola's article. In the article he points out that:
"Anyone aware of the dangers of plastic chemicals leaching out of plastic containers and bottles is likely to be concerned about drinking tea steeped through heated plastic.
The other bad news is that paper tea bags may be just as bad, or worse, than the plastic ones because many of them are treated with epichlorohydrin, a compound mainly used in the production of epoxy resins."
Knowing these chemicals are more than likely in tea bags makes us realize that if we are using Green Tea to to detox and denature trichothecene mycotoxins that we need to make sure that everything involved in the tea-making process needs to be as non toxic as possible.
So what kind of Green Tea do I need to use?
If we take all the research we've compiled and put it together it gives us the safest possible choice of the type of green tea we are looking for. Essentially you want a Green Tea that is: Organic, Grown in the Region where it originates, loose leaf (not in a tea bag). Here are a few sources we've purchased in the past for quality green tea:
The Water you use can either enhance Medicinal qualities or completely taint the process
A final point to make about medicinal tea quality, is that the quality of your water is even more important in medicinal properties of the tea than the actual tea leaf or bag. Tap water should never be used. Tap water contains chlorine which is added to water (to sanitize bacteria) and completely zeros out the "healthy" benefits of the tea. Choose a high quality mineral water or filtered water instead (but not reversed osmosis water or distilled water). I have found that purchaseing a quality Berkey Filter is by far the best way to bring good, clean filtered water into your home without the hassle of trying to climb mountains and find the closest spring. You can purchase the same Berkey Filter I recommend HERE
The world of Fungi is like a school playground. (Your body is the park and your organs are the different toys on the playground. The teachers are the doctors and allergenists and the Principle is the "Cure")
On every playground there are two kinds of fungi: Allergenic and Toxigenic
Allergenics like to play on the equipment, some like to mind their own business and most of the time they just have a lot of fun causing the rides to spin really fast. They don't fight with other fungi on the playground they are more concerned with having a good time. But when recess is over they go back to the classroom and take their nap. There are many more Allergenics in the world than there are bullying toxigenics. These guys have common names like Suzie and Johnny or Papulospora, Pithomyces and Wallemia.
Toxigenics have only ONE mission on the playground and that is to dominate!! They'll do anything they can to be "King of the Hill" Instead of putting more wear and tear on the playground equipment they are more focused on bullying the Allergenics. They want everyone in that playground to know "THEY ARE THE BOSS". So these guys don't just threaten...they are bullies. They knock down other Allergenics and send a message to the whole world of fungi that they are in charge here. They don't play on the equipment they destroy it. They don't want Allergenics to have any fun on the playground because their only mission is to dominate the playground.
Their parents always give them a unique name at birth like Butch or Snoozer, Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Chaetomium. Most of the time these fungi have no other friends. They don't play nice with anyone other than themselves.
When a new "Toxigenic" with a "NEW NAME" enters the playground you better believe there is going to be a school-wide fight on the playground. Now all the other Allergenics are scared and cheering and the teachers are called in. The two toxigenics by (different names) are fighting for dominance over the playground and they won't stop until they ruin the playground and kill each other. The only way for them to do this is to become BIGGER and BADDER than they were before so they call in for backup. They call in other toxigenics who originally were not their friends but have the same name (Stachybotrys etc.) and they rally for more and more Stachy soldiers to fight off the Aspergillus bullies so they can be the ONLY bully left on the playground.
The teachers are called in and have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO to stop the fighting so they do their best and try to "inject" Allergenics (allergy shots, antigenic therapies) into the crowd...maybe that will quiet down the bunch...but no, all it does is aggravate the Toxigenics even more.
Teachers that were supposed to protect the playground are still letting in more Toxigenic bullies into the playground like Penicillium and now Chaetomium and the fight gets so out of control that the playground is nearly destroyed.
So what can the teachers (or doctors) do? They come up with another idea...maybe if they create a distraction like (say it's all in your head, give you supplements, tell you to just avoid the bullies (mold) maybe this will work. But to no avail. Nothing is working.
It's not until someone goes for help who KNOWS how to break up a real fight between the playground and a Toxigenic bully do things heal, disperse and begin to have balance again. The principle shows up with the right amount of authority to lead the teachers and explain to them just how to control the toxigenic bullies. The Toxigenics see the principle and now get scared. They stop fighting, are sent back to the principles office and are put in their place. The principle sets them straight and they get counseling and eventually end up adapting back into the real world and stop trying to go to playgrounds and wreak more havoc.
The playground (or your body) is now at peace. Yes, there will always be alllergenics...the world is filled with lots of molds and fungi and our bodies (if taken care of) will keep the peace but we should always prevent bullies from coming into the playground. They are never welcome.
Posted by: Jennifer Cannon AT 08:52 am
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Some people have asked me what I use or used during detox in place of milk. Now some may not drink milk but for those who always "like me" believed the fluff about milk being good for me :) I used milk all the time for cereal, baking, frostings, scrambled eggs, creamer etc. Before mold I used to be a sucker for a bag of oreos and a tall glass of milk or my famous homemade chocolate chip cookies and that same milk.
Those days have passed, "thank goodness" but some people still struggle with how to replace bad habits of using milk for everything. I was on a mold diet for over 9 months so in those 9 months I didn't have much milk or dairy. Now that I'm way past the mold detox diet phase of being strict on glucose consumption I am on a more steady Whole foods diet and basically now eat what is healthy for my body.
I wanted to recommend what I used to replace my "Milk habit" with. I tried all of the milk sub's out there that everyone normally recommends like "Almond Milk", "Rice Milk" but I was never satisfied with the taste or some of the ingredients they used. It wasn't until about January of this year that I recently saw a new type in my local health food store and decided to try it.
Not only did it taste good enough to drink right out of the bottle (which normally I NEVER do because things don't taste that great) but I was shocked to look at the nutritional information for Hemp Milk.
Here was what I found:
It had a perfect balance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
It was sweetened with brown rice syrup (which isn't that sugary)
It has tons of vitamins and minerals like 190mg of potassium...almost as much a a banana.
It had over 10 essential amino acids (crazy)
Contains 3 grams of protein
and I couldn't believe it has 50% of the RDA of calcium in just one serving
It contains an excellent source of Vitamins D, B12 and riboflavin which most people argue about in saying that only Milk can provide this....well I found out that that was false information.
WHERE TO BUY IT
After recommending to a few friends I found out that it was not that readily available in most stores so I found an easy way to show others where to get it by buying it online. What I found was that most of the sellers were offering FREE SHIPPING so it made it worth it to get it delivered to your home. You can buy it HERE...make sure you bookmark this link so you can go back to it month after month and re-order like I now do. :)
Another alternative is a "SAFE" coconut milk option
You can make your own coconut milk by blending unsweetened organic coconut flakes with filtered water and strain it but when you are feeling sick most of the time it's just not an option. This "ONE" coconut milk product is my coconut milk choice. It's a safely canned BPA free option that does not contain any other harmful inredients that almost all of the other coconut milks have. The brand is from Natural Grocers.
This producct is only coconut and water. This means there are no thickeners or emulsifiers like guar gum, carrageenan, or gellan gum, which can cause digestive problems, alter healthy levels of intestinal bacteria, cause diarrhea, cause inflammation and bloating, lower immune function, and cause glucose intolerance/insulin sensitivity - just to name a few. These are the last things you want to add to your detox and mold diet because your gut needs to heal.
These thickeners/emulsifiers are in many products, including "natural" or "healthy" ones. Some of the most common ones are plant-based milks, ice cream, yogurt, and baby formulas...but they can also be found in all kinds of foods, cosmetics, body care products, toothpaste, and medications.
Including the topic of coconut milk in my blog post is simply bringing awareness to an ingredient I feel can really mess up your mold detox efforts and is most often in many of the things you consume daily, and if you have been exposed to toxic mold most likely you are going to be dealing with other symptoms of mold exposure like IBS, inflammatory bowel disorders, digestive issues, or unexplained food sensitivities, so this is definitely something you want to start looking at and eliminating.
If someone hasn't been exposed to mold, small doses probably won't hurt them...but since these things are in many products you're likely consuming - a "small dose" may not actually exist for many people. If you have small children or babies that have been exposed to mold and they consume plant-based milks regularly these harmful ingredients can be really harmful to their guts.
Taking the time to read food labels and learn what common ingredients are is really an important skill set to learn - especially if you have been exposed to mold or have any kind of chronic illness. Taking a little extra time to prepare your own food is beneficial for your health both physically and financially but when exposed to mold it can make someone so extremely weak and sick that they cannot physically prepare these foods. However in saying that, you can buy a pound of organic coconut flakes for about $4 and easily make 10x (or more) the amount of coconut milk found in one can for the same price.
I have only found a few name brands that DO NOT include these dangerous fillers in them and here they are below:
In this post I had found a powerful discovery linking mycotoxins to a potassium deficiency. Mind you, I am not a scientist nor did I make the scientific discovery but I did make the research study finding that applies to us "moldies" as a whole that I think could be of significant value to our healing processes.
If you are not sure what potassium is or does in the body, potassium is an essential nutrient used to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. When you have a deficiency in potassium it causes:
muscle spasms
muscle weakness,
muscle aches,
muscle cramps
Heart Palpitations (irregular heartbeats).
fatigue
irritability
hypertension (increased blood pressure).
Unless you are on dialysis, or have a special condition involving potassium, overdose of potassium from natural sources is nearly impossible; however, it is possible to consume too much potassium via potassium salts which can lead to nausea, vomiting, and even cardiac arrest. Potassium from natural food sources is the best possible way to deliver potassium to the body.
Being exposed to mold and mycotoxins can interupt the body's natural mineral absorption. Many people exposed to mold are NOT aware of this. This is why it essential to supplement vitamins and minerals while detoxing from mold exposure.
Diet:
Another problem with detoxing from mold is that most of the foods that are higher in potassium content are not supposed to be consumed while on a mold detox diet. This means foods like beans, potatoes and bananas are off your list for a while until you can get rid of the mold problem in your body. This can be a huge problem if you are not prepared ahead of time for the symptoms. This is also VERY DANGEROUS if you do not do it correctly. Remember, a potassium deficiency is a "Life-Threatening" thing. If you suspect a potassium deficiency please see your local ER or get a doctors appt the next morning to have your doctor check your potassium levels. They can give you a "Temporary" potassium chloride injection or pill that can get you out of "trouble" temporarily until you can increase your potassium in your diet.
Here are some "Mold Diet Approved" food sources for keeping your levels of potassium at a healthy level:
Hidden grains (that contain mycotoxins and fuel mold/yeast growth in the body) in your eggs that can slow down detox
Eggs are loaded with high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, good fats and various trace nutrients.
A large egg contains:
Only 77 calories, with 5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein with all 9 essential amino acids.
Rich in iron, phosphorous, selenium and vitamins A, B12, B2 and B5 (among others).
One egg contains 113 mg of Choline – a very important nutrient for the brain, among other things.
It is a wise choice to include eggs in your mold detox diet, however
Eating store-bought eggs could be "feeding your mold problem" and here's how:
YOU ARE WHAT YOUR CHICKEN EATS
What do "HEALTHY" chickens naturally eat?
Chickens, if left on their own naturally feed primarily on insects. Science has proven through "laboratory dissection and testing" that half or more of their diet are insects and other invertebrates (especially termites.) The other half or less is made up of various plant matter like fruits, berries, bamboo seeds, nuts, and young leaves.
So what is this telling us? Basically it's telling us that if chickens are eating corn, wheat and soy their diets are being manipulated by man. Why would we manipulate the diets of chickens?
It's pretty simple. A chicken that is naturally healthy and left to feed on it's own will weigh a lot less than a chicken that is fed fatty, carbohydrate corn, wheat or soy. Farmers, meat and egg producers know this so in order for them to make as much money as possible (because chicken meat is sold by the pound), they want their chickens fattened up for maximum profits. DID YOU HEAR THAT? This is all about making money.....NOT raising healthy chickens...and NOT looking out for the health of humans who will be eating it.
Store bought eggs contain grains and grains have carbohydrates and mycotoxins
The main purpose of the mold detox diet is to eliminate sources of fuel for mold, yeast and mycotoxins in the body. As we already know, removing sugars, grains and yeasts is our number one priority while maintaining a balanced nutritional diet.
To do this we MUST recognize and be aware of where the hidden sugars, grains and carbohydrates are so that we can speed up the "Mold dying" process within our bodies.
Ok so I hear this all time. "I eat healthy eggs". Or do you? Most people, (I'd say 95%) do not understand what the heck it is they are eating when they eat their eggs. I've put together this little blog post to explain the truth and pitfalls about what is in your eggs
Myth: Cheap eggs are fine..eggs are eggs.
NO way!!
First let's start with the worst kind you can buy: Conventional/Store-bought/No healthy labeling
All I can say here is stay as far away from these as you possibly can.
The birds that lay these eggs are sickly, abused, starving, don't eat what they should naturally eat to produce a healthy egg for you and I and especially for someone who has a health concern like those suffering from mold exposure.
What kind of eggs should I buy that DON'T have grains or mycotoxins in them?
You should ONLY eat pastured eggs on the mold detox diet. They are 3 times as nutritious and WILL NOT contain sugary grains that contain mold and mycotoxins like eggs from factory-raised chickens.
You are probably wondering where to get them or what they look like?
What are pastured eggs?
Grass-fed/pastured hens are raised on pasture, as opposed to being kept in confinement and fed primarily grains. Eggs from pastured hens contain up to 20 times more healthy omega-3 fatty acids than confined/grain fed hens.
Pastured hens' diets are naturally fed with bugs, earthworms, and other bugs that give their eggs it's pureness and nutritional value. Pastured hens are much healthier and happier than their space-restricted and antibiotic-pumped counterparts.
Pasturing is the traditional method of raising egg-laying hens and other poultry. It is ecologically sustainable, humane, and produces the tastiest, most nutritious eggs.
Pastured eggs also have 10 percent less fat, 40 percent more vitamin A, and 34 percent less cholesterol than eggs obtained from factory farms. Most importantly for those exposed to mold and mycotoxins, pastured eggs contain NO traces of grains or beans which naturally feed mold, yeast and other fungi in the body. This makes it a PERFECT CHOICE for the mold detox diet.
Dave Asprey explains why you should be eating "Pastured" eggs
Where can I get pastured eggs?
Our favorite site to locate pastured eggs is http://www.EatWild.com they have a directory for US and Canada of all suppliers providing pastured meat and eggs.
Wily Blackmore, TakePart's Food editor over at http://www.takepart.com has created this nice little infographic that breaks down egg labeling even further. This is a nice little chart that can be saved on your phone for the next time you go shopping for eggs.
Is mold making you sick? Put the effects of Toxic Mold behind you!!
Do you think you might have mold in your home, place of business or school? Are you or someone you love suffering from an unknown illness that doctors can't diagnose? Is mold making you sick? Go to our Step by Step and start Surviving Toxic Mold.
You've always enjoyed having a real Christmas Tree. It brings back memories of the past, nostalgic family feelings for most, however did you realize that it also brings trillions of mold spores as well?!!!
Use Glass Ornaments
Use Metal Ornaments and Decorations
Use Artificial Christmas Trees
Use Beads for Garland
Chicken Zucchini-Vegetable Soup
A final point to make about medicinal tea quality, is that the quality of your water is even more important in medicinal properties of the tea than the actual tea leaf or bag. Tap water should never be used. Tap water contains chlorine which is added to water (to sanitize bacteria) and completely zeros out the "healthy" benefits of the tea. Choose a high quality mineral water or filtered water instead (but not reversed osmosis water or distilled water). I have found that purchaseing a quality Berkey Filter is by far the best way to bring good, clean filtered water into your home without the hassle of trying to climb mountains and find the closest spring. You can purchase the same 
Hidden grains (that contain mycotoxins and fuel mold/yeast growth in the body) in your eggs that can slow down detox
he main purpose of the mold detox diet is to eliminate sources of fuel for mold, yeast and mycotoxins in the body. As we already know, removing sugars, grains and yeasts is our number one priority while maintaining a balanced nutritional diet.
NO way!!
Wily Blackmore, TakePart's Food editor over at 
