1. Question I get a lot…
People often ask me if everything I buy is organic. The answer is no. Environmental Working Group (EWG) put out a list years ago called the Dirty Dozen and another list called the Clean Fifteen. They analyzed and found out what produce contained the most pesticides. Those listed on the Dirty Dozen I buy organic. The Clean Fifteen I usually do not. I posted these lists years ago, but there is an updated list of the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen. EWG is doing good work, not just with pesticides, but with tap water, skin care products, diapers, food additives, sunscreens, and more. Visit their site at ewg.org. And watch these two short clips about EWG below. I am also posting the updated Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen below the videos with a link to their site where you can download and print it. I use these lists every time I am in the grocery store.
**You can download and print this by clicking here.**
2. Article I read this last week…
Last week, I was sent an article describing a claim that was settled in which Publicis Health, an ad agency that worked for Purdue Pharma, will pay $350 million for their role in fueling the opioid crisis. (Thanks, Christy P.!) That article was on mercola.com, but those articles only stay up for a few days before being archived. If interested, you can click here to read about the details in the Wall Street Journal. Most people will see this as a victory, and $350 million is a lot of money, but it is clear that simply fining companies does not deter future illegal and unethical behavior. My guess is Publicis Health made much, much more money than that. And more important, in my opinion, is that individuals involved in these pharmaceutical schemes MUST be held personally responsible. They make it clear that the settlement “isn’t an admission of wrongdoing.” This company worked on the campaign for Purdue Pharma that “identified doctors who prescribed the most OxyContin and targeted them with sales calls and marketing,” and “the campaign advertised the ‘abuse-deterrent’ aspects of the painkiller to doctors and encouraged increasing patients’ dosages.” They “created advertisements and materials such as pamphlets and brochures that promoted OxyContin as safe and unable to be abused, though this wasn’t true.” Remember… between 1999 and 2021, roughly 640,000 people DIED from overdoses involving opioids (according to the CDC). Who signed off on the fraudulent marketing materials? Who was in meetings with Purdue Pharma discussing misleading information? Who led the campaign? These criminals are NOT held personally responsible. I contend that if/when we start charging the pharmaceutical reps, managers, company presidents, and others involved in these illegal campaigns with murder, and start sending individuals to jail, we would see the problem diminish. (It would not go away, of course, but personal/individual accountability would deter many from participating.) GlaxoSmithKline paid $3 billion in fines in 2012 for illegal dealing with three drugs. They made approximately $27 billion on those three drugs. Jail time for individuals is a MUST! Why charge them with murder??? Without their criminal, unethical, and illegal behavior, a good amount of those 640,000 fellow humans would still be alive today.
3. Impressive video clip I saw this week…
I LOVE seeing humans doing extraordinary things. I’ve always been intrigued by just how amazing people are in regards to what they can do, limits that get pushed, and unimaginable feats they can accomplish. There’s a never-ending stream of videos on the web displaying people doing things that most would say are impossible. I could share lots… because I watch lots. This one in particular jumped out at me. It is absolutely incredible. Before you watch… think about what YOU are ACTUALLY capable of. Maybe it’s time to test yourself… push yourself… and tap some of that untapped potential. Check out this video… impressive display of strength, balance, teamwork, art, and more…