Santos Newsletter July 2003

Santos Newsletter Winter 2003

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    1:: Are Genetically Modified Crops  to be forced onto the Australian Public?  

The pressure is now really on to impose GM crops onto the Australian Consumer. This is especially urgent now that the Australian federal government working out a free trade agreement with the USA which includes allowing the import of GM produce into Australia. Both the Australian Government and the opposition Labour parties seem to favour or be unconcerned about the introduction of GM crops into Australia. Or is it that behind the scenes we are being told to buy this stuff or else suffer trade and other penalties? And why is there such resistance to the labeling of GM foods? Is it because they know that there is considerable buyer resistance to this stuff being forced up on us by big multinational?

There is still hope: If one state in Australia such as South Australia or Queensland required the labeling of GM foods it would be difficult for producers to avoid labeling their GM produce sold in the rest of the country. Lobby your MP's and local farm groups now!

The growing of GM crops in Australia could ruin our organic export markets to Europe, because, as the Canadians have found, there is no practical way to ensure a shipment of grain is totally free of GM contamination. The growing of GM crops in Australia could also easily ruin our local organic food industry because of contamination by pollen and seeds being blown by wind or falling from transport vehicles etc etc.. 

The drought in Australia is still gripping the central and western parts of the Eastern states. These areas are where the bulk of our food is grown. How crazy are we?. The best soil and most of the rain fall on the eastern seaboard. But everyone wants to live there, so land prices are too high for farming, and all that wonderful soil is being covered by houses. So while we are drenched by rain in Byron Bay, our food crops are dying of thirst! The drought is still causing many grain and vegetable prices to be high, and some items are almost impossible to obtain. So please be patient and spare a kind thought for the farmers.

  What Are Genetically modified (GM) Crops  

Genetically modified crops are those that contain a gene or genes that have been inserted by humans into the genome of a plant. The inserted gene sequence (known as the transgene) may come from another unrelated plant, or from a completely different species such as an animal. Plants that contain these transgenes are known as transgenic, or genetically modified, crops and are often referred to as genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified crops have been approved and grown in the United States since 1987. Read more at www.farm-garden.com

 3: ATM's at Santos!!!  

Santos is sort of moving into the banking business. Yes we’ve decided to become the world’s first multinational health food bank, well not just yet  ….but we’re starting off by installing ATM’s inside our stores so you’ll be able to get lots of money. And if they are successful we might just install a few health style pokies!!

  4:  Organic and GM Links. Check out these articles   and find heaps more at

  www.farm-garden.com an organic news and farming portal which searches the whole world for their articles. It is well worth a visit.. 

NSW Govt rejects claim GM plants pose risk to organic crops  
26,July 2003: "Australia -- The New South Wales Government has rejected claims it is risking contaminating organic crops with genetically modified plants by allow trials of GM farming to take place."

GM crops: the voice of Canadian farmers  
July 26, 2003: "Canada -- One voice is too often missing in the debate about genetically-modified (GM) foodstuffs ? that of experienced, practical farmers themselves. In a wide-ranging interview with Sophie Jeffreys and Caspar Henderson of open Democracy, three Canadian farmers explain why they think it is time to bring the GM roller-coaster under control."

States may curb federal yes to GM crop  
July 26, 2003: "Australia -- BIOTECHNOLOGY company Bayer Crop Science has gained approval to grow the first commercial genetically modified canola crops in Australia.But it will struggle to find a state that will allow the commercial release of its InVigor GM canola before 2005."

GM warning to trial farmers  
July 25, 2003: "Scotland -- Concern that seeds from GM oil seed rape crops stay in the soil longer than previously thought has led to a new warning being issued to farmers."

First genetically modified crops to hit shops soon  
July 25, 2003: "Australia -- The nation's gene technology watchdog today announced it had issued a licence for the commercial release of GM canola, the first genetically altered food crop to win approval."

  6: Organics go Mainstream in the USA  
This link is provided courtesy of www.farm-garden.com

Growing, Naturally: Organic Foods Get Into the Mainstream  by Margaret Webb Pressler - Washington Post

July 26, 2003: "US -- Many shoppers already equate organic milk, juice and eggs with the distinctive cartoon cow used by Horizon Organic, one of the nation's largest organic food producers. The company has large stretches of shelf space in natural foods supermarkets such as Whole Foods, and is quickly gaining a foothold in mainstream retailers as well, including Starbucks.".....

  7:  Byron Store News   

At Santos in Byron there have been many changes lately, including the loss of the cool room as well as the storeroom, due to a new car park being built behind the shop. This has necessitated changes in the shop in order to try and fit as much inside as possible. The staff are currently involved in height reduction exercises in order to take up less room. (I thought Byron shire was supposed to be green and look! the motor car is king even here! Ed.)

Ed and Carol had their baby girl Holly a few weeks ago. We wish them all hearty health and deep happiness.

We also congratulate Greg and Jessie who is also pregnant and is due in a few months.

Steve has just had a promotion to the senior position of Head of the Fruit and Vegetables department in Byron, his body is still currently being shortened to fit into the smaller shop.

Toni and Lindy have added new skills to their naturopathic portfolios this month. They can now lift large weights and drive the truck.

8:  Water the new Health Wonder!   

Diane Quagliani, a dietitian, has found a substance that gives her more energy, helps her lose weight, reduces her headaches and generally improves her health and appearance.

It's free. It has no calories. It's all-natural, and its FREE! (well almost.)

It's water!
Our bodies use water to bring oxygen and nutrients to the cells, to remove waste, to bathe our brains and to lubricate our skin and joints. By weight, men are about 55 percent water, women about 45 percent. And yet many of us may be going through life dehydrated, our water gauges reading "low."

Feeling tired? Lethargic? Drink two glasses of water and see what happens.

Running out of steam early when you're working out? Had a kidney stone or a kidney infection? Constipated? Having trouble controlling your appetite? Feel lightheaded?

That's right, water - or, to be precise, a lack of it - can be a factor in all of the above.

Dehydration, a cause for concern

It can be more serious, especially for the very old and the very young. It's "very common" for elderly people to be admitted showing serious effects from dehydration, said Dr. Raymond J. Malta, an osteopath based at South Jersey Hospital USA.

The average person loses about 10 to 12 cups of water a day, so we've got to drink that much just to keep up. But if you add hot weather or a workout or if you start the day dehydrated because of a few beers the night before, by the time your thirst signals a problem you're going to have a hard time catching up. 

 coffee and alcohol actually hurt because they're diuretics.

"It's not unusual for anyone to be perhaps 1 or 2 percent dehydrated at any given time," said Lawrence J. Armstrong, an exercise physiologist based at the University of Connecticut.

Want to know if your water tank is full? Look at your urine. If it's dark, you may be dehydrated. (Vitamins, among other substances, can darken urine.) If your urine is almost clear, you're probably in good shape. Quantity is also a good sign. Don't take our word for it. Ask your doctor.

High fiber Diet?

Been trying to work more fiber into your diet?
"You have to drink more fluids for it to work," said Betsy German, a registered dietitian at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital in Cape May Court House. "Otherwise it can have the opposite effect."

Beware of Sugared Drinks 

German said she has noticed that people who favor sugared drinks over water tend to be overweight, and she doesn't think that's a coincidence. "When you're thirsty your body is asking for water, not sugar," she said. "I recommend water all the time, but people in this country always seem to want something that's sweet. I guess it's a habit."

Santos recommendation to Byron council. if it wants to avoid pumping raw sewage into the sea,
 try cooking it first.

 9: Mullumbimby Store News

Elsbeth the store manager, has been on a well deserved holiday and will be returning shortly to take over the reins again. Mullum has been becoming more and more busy over the last few months. The herbal dispensary is proving very popular. If you need some remedies check it out.

Our Special  article on Zen: What is the Sound of One Hand clapping?

What is the Sound of the Single Hand? When you clap together both hands a sharp sound is heard; when you raise the one hand there is neither sound nor smell. Is this the High Heaven of which Confucius speaks? Or is it the essentials of what Yamamba describes in these words:

 "The echo of the completely empty valley bears tidings heard from the soundless sound?" This is something that can by no means be heard with the ear. If conceptions and discriminations are not mixed within it and it is quite apart from seeing, hearing, perceiving, and knowing, and if, while walking, standing, sitting, and reclining, you proceed straightforwardly without interruption in the study of this koan, you will suddenly pluck out the karmic root of birth and death and break down the cave of ignorance. Thus you will attain to a peace in which the phoenix has left the golden nest and the crane has been set free of the basket. At this time the basis of mind, consciousness, and emotion is suddenly shattered; the realm of illusion with its endless sinking in the cycle of birth and death is overturned. The treasure accumulation of the Three Bodies and the Four Wisdoms is taken away, and the miraculous realms of the Six Supernatural Powers and Three Insights is transcended.