Massive earthquake at intermediate depth in Peru – 1 collapsed home, multiple buildings damaged.
Last update: August 25, 2014 at 4:29 am by By Armand Vervaeck
This article is also written by Carlos Robles and James Daniell.
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Update 09:58 UTC: INDECI has updated damage and injury reports: Ica Region:
-Two non-life threatening injuries. Ayacucho Region Lucanas Province:
-One collapsed home in Amoca.
-10 damaged homes in Sanco.
– 3 damaged schools (2 in Sancos and 1 in Chaviña).
– 1 damaged clinic in Sancos.
– 1 damaged temple in Chaviña.
Paranicochas Province: – 4 damaged homes in Coracora.
-Two small landslides have been reported so far, one in the route Los Libertadores – Huancavelica and one in Panamericana Sur – Arequipa.
Update 03:57 UTC: INDECI has released initial values from the earthquake, with the Seismological Service of Peru having given a Ml6.6 earthquake at 106km depth. 1 house was destroyed in Amoca, Lucanas. 4 houses were damaged in Cora Cora. 1 temple and 1 school were also slightly damaged in Chavina.
Update 00:18 UTC: Very great news, USGS has just decreased the magnitude to 6.9 and changed the depth from 59km to 100km, a shallower quake has a lot more potential to create damage.
Update 00:01 UTC: Radio RPP is reporting damaged homes in Coracora.
Update 23:57 UTC: The quake was widely felt in a very big area and in a lot of big cities including Lima, the capital of Peru, this big cities should only have felt a slight shaking for a prolonged time and should only have minimal damage. Villages closer to the epicenter should have taken all the impact, but news from those areas will take time to travel.
Update 23:48 UTC : Very dangerous earthquake in a sparsely populated area of Peru
42km (26mi) ENE of Tambo, Peru
61km (38mi) E of Puquio, Peru
108km (67mi) S of Andahuaylas, Peru
131km (81mi) SW of Abancay, Peru
471km (293mi) SE of Lima, Peru
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 6.8
Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2014-08-24 18:21:41
CRISTOBAL intensified into a hurricane early last night as wind shear eased a bit, and outflow improved somewhat to the North and south. Shear remains relatively high near 20Kts, and with no improvement in the outflow pattern above the storm expected and the proximity to drier to its west – significant intensification appears unlikely as the 988mb storm moves Northward during the next 2 days along the western periphery of the sub-tropical (Bermuda) High centered in the central Atlantic. All the models are now in excellent agreement on both the track and intensity forecast for CRISTOBAL, and except for large waves and localized rip currents along the east coast – CRISTOBAL will have no impact on the US mainland
INVEST 97L POSES A POTENTIAL THREAT OF DEVELOPMENT THIS WEEKEND
Although NHC dropped 97L overnight, this system is now BACK on the NHC home page chart, most likely due to several global models now forecasting it to develop this weekend as it approaches the Leeward Islands – with the GFS and a few other models tracking it as a cyclone into the southeast coast of the US mainland late next week. Because NHC ‘dropped’ the system over night, none of the specialized hurricane models we executed during the 12Z cycle run. However, the models will almost certainly be initialized for the 18Z cycle run later today. That said – the system is currently surrounded by dry and somewhat stable air with no significant outflow signature seen on SAT imagery at this time; so development, if any, will be quite slow for the next 72 hours.
STRONG DISTURBANCE STILL WESTBOUND OVER AFRICA
Finally, the strongest African tropical disturbance of the season is now located over west-central Africa with a long history of deep convection and a well established rotation in low to mid levels. The disturbance is now moving slowly westward, and is expected to emerge off the west African coast this weekend. Some model projections forecast this system to gradually intensify next week – but also put it on a more Northwesterly track next week – implying this system will start heading out to sea by later next week.
Fig 1: Early morning VIS imagery shows the center of CRISTOBAL on the NW side of deep convection moving Northward at about 5Kts (based on the last 6 hours of RECON/SAT image tracking). The overall satellite signature is highly unusual for a tropical cyclone, especially of hurricane intensity – with the system appearing to be along the southern edge of a mid-latitude frontal boundary. In some respects, that is exactly what has occurred over the last 24 hours, with the southward plunge of well defined dry air surge to the immediate west of the cyclone, leading to a ‘linear’ type orientation of convection extending from well north of CRISTOBAL southward to the storm itself. There is a small possibility that this ‘dynamic’ boundary actually helped intensify the cyclone, despite the moderate shear and dry air that is just west of the storms core circulation. Normally, dry air this close to a relatively weak and sheared system like we had would weaken or totally halt intensification – but in this case (the first I’ve ever seen) – the opposite occurred. It’s worth noting that the dry air surge extended into the northern GOM as well – triggering a line of strong convection there.
Fig 2: The above overview of the tropical Atlantic shows a significant tropical wave/disturbance that was (and now again, is) 97L approaching 50W, and is still westbound at ~16Kts. Dry air is to the north and northwest of the system does not appear to be infiltrating the central area of what isolated convection there is. However, the system still remains in a less than favorable area of somewhat stable air – with no upper level wind support. As the system approaches the far eastern CARIB late this week, the environment should become somewhat more favorable for development.
Fig 3: Enhanced IR imagery over Africa earlier this morning highlights the very strong system in west-central Africa. This system had been moving W/SW for the last 36 hours – but has slowed its forward motion somewhat, and is expected to move on a West/Northwest (290°) during the next few days.
Fig 4: The above image over Africa includes satellite derived winds – and show a well established cyclonic flow around the major system of interest – just as it had for the last 2 days
Fig 5: The global models like the NAVY GEM above – and the GFS & CMC forecasts (not shown) all forecast the system to slowly intensify next week, with the GFS then carrying the system into the SE U.S. coast as a cyclone. Clearly, this system needs close monitoring.
It doesn’t look much like hurricane, but the Hurricane Hunters measured surface winds around 75 mph on Monday evening and Tuesday morning in Hurricane Cristobal, making it the third hurricane of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season. These missions proved the value of hurricane hunter flights, since there is no way that we would have known Cristobal was a hurricane based on satellite data. The storm is stretched out in a long line of heavy thunderstorms, has no eye or low-level spiral bands, and is giving early August’s Hurricane Bertha some stiff competition for ugliest Atlantic hurricane of the century. Along with Hurricane Arthur and Hurricane Bertha, Cristobal gives us three Atlantic hurricanes so far this year, exceeding the entire 2013 Atlantic hurricane season total. The second (and final) hurricane of the 2013 season (Ingrid) did not arrive until September 14. On average, the third hurricane of the Atlantic season arrives on September 9, and the third named storm of the year on August 13. The last time the first three named storms in the Atlantic became hurricanes was in 1983, when Alicia, Barry and Chantal all became hurricanes (if we exclude 1992, when an unnamed subtropical storm formed prior to the arrival of Hurricanes Andrew, Bonnie, and Charley.) Cristobal continues to dump heavy rains over the Central and Southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands as the storm heads northeastwards out to sea. Satellite loops show that Cristobal is struggling with wind shear, with a center of circulation partially exposed to view, and all the heavy thunderstorms pushed to the south and east sides of the center. The only land area at risk from Cristobal is Bermuda, and the 5 am EDT Tuesday Wind Probability Forecast from NHC gave that island a 27% chance of experiencing tropical storm force winds of 39+ mph. The GOES-14 satellite is in rapid-scan mode over Cristobal on Tuesday, and you can access an impressive 1-minute resolution satellite loop of the storm from the NOAA/RAMMB website.
Figure 1. MODIS true-color image showing Tropical Storm Cristobal’s intense thunderstorms stretching from the Southeast Bahamas to Bermuda at 2 pm EDT on August 25, 2014. At the time, Cristobal had top winds of 60 mph. Image credit: NASA.
Little change to 97L headed towards the Lesser Antilles
A tropical wave (Invest 97L) was near 13°N, 47°W on Tuesday morning, about 900 miles east of the Lesser Antilles Islands, and was headed west to west-northwest at about 15 mph. Satellite loops show the wave has changed little since Monday, and has a modest amount of spin but only a small amount of heavy thunderstorms. Water vapor satellite images and the Saharan Air Layer analysis show that 97L is located in a dry environment, which is keeping development slow. Wind shear was a moderate 10 – 20 knots, which should allow some slow development. Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27.5°C, which is warm enough to allow some slow development. The wave should arrive in the Lesser Antilles Islands by Friday and be near Puerto Rico on Saturday, according to the Tuesday morning runs of the GFS model. None of the three reliable computer models for predicting tropical storm formation predict 97L will develop over the next five days. In their 8 am EDT Tuesday Tropical Weather Outlook, NHC gave 97L 2-day and 5-day development odds of 0% and 20%, respectively. These odds are 10% lower than their previous advisory, and NHC has stopped running their suite of models on 97L.
New tropical wave coming off coast of Africa this weekend
A large and powerful tropical wave will move off the coast of Africa on Friday evening, and the GFS model has been very aggressive in recent runs about developing this wave into a tropical storm within a day of its emergence. The other reliable models for tropical cyclone genesis, the European and UKMET models, have not been developing this wave right away. Residents of the Cape Verde Islands should anticipate the possibility of heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday as the wave moves west at 10 – 15 mph across the islands. In their 8 am EDT Tuesday Tropical Weather Outlook, NHC gave 97L 2-day and 5-day development odds of 0% and 30%, respectively.
The Gulf of Mexico is worth watching
In the Gulf of Mexico, heavy thunderstorm activity has diminished since Monday along a weak cold front stretching from South Florida to the Louisiana coastal waters. Some models show a weak area of low pressure developing along this front and moving westwards over Texas by Friday, and we should keep an eye on this region for development.
Figure 2. MODIS true-color image of Hurricane Marie in the Eastern Pacific taken at approximately 18:15 UTC (2:15 pm EDT) on August 25, 2014. At the time, Marie was a Category 4 storm with 145 mph winds. Image credit: NASA.
Powerful Hurricane Marie generating huge waves in Eastern Pacific
The Eastern Pacific’s Hurricane Marie had weakened to a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds on Tuesday morning, but was still generating huge swells that were bringing large waves to the coasts of Southern California and Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. At 5 am EDT on Tuesday, Marie’s tropical storm-force winds covered a huge area of ocean, up to 275 miles from the center, and 12-foot high seas extended up to 550 miles from the center. A High Surf Advisory is in effect for Los Angeles, where waves of 10 – 15 feet will potentially cause structural damage to piers and beachside property as well as significant beach erosion. The powerful surf will be accompanied by strong rip currents and long-shore currents, making for very hazardous swimming and surfing conditions through Thursday. Satellite loops on Tuesday morning showed a steady degradation of Marie’s cloud pattern, with the eyewall cloud tops warming and the areal coverage of the strongest thunderstorms decreasing. The storm is headed to the northwest over cooler waters and into drier air, and will not affect any land areas.
You can see a spectacular loop of infrared satellite images of Marie as it intensified into a Category 5 storm on Sunday at the CIMSS University of Wisconsin.
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally-formed sedimentary mineral rock. It’s derived from the remains of diatoms, or oceanic unicellular algae.[1] Diatoms are over 30 million years old and are formed from the cementation of microscopic algae-like plant remains into the earth’s surface. These clay-like, chalky remains are usually found in the form of a thick, white, siliceous powder known as diatomaceous earth.[2] Often used to support body cleansing, some research also suggests it’s a natural tool for promoting normal blood lipids, detoxing toxic metals, and fighting harmful intestinal organisms.
Health Benefits
The use of diatomaceous earth knows no bounds, and has many applications in cosmetic, agricultural, and cleansing realms. It’s been extensively investigated and some interesting benefits have been discovered.
1. Natural Source of Silica
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is composed of approximately 85% silica.[3] This important, trace mineral is required by tendons, cartilage, blood vessels, and bones.[4] The nutrient even contributes to almost every vital organ, including the heart, liver, and lungs. Food was the primary source of naturally-occurring silica before modern farming practices depleted the soil. It is suggested that only 1/3 of the silica we need is available in natural, plant-based foods.
2. Promotes Skin Health
Because diatomaceous earth is a strong abrasive, it is often used as a toothpaste and facial exfoliator. The process of exfoliation is important in skin care as it helps to remove dead skin cells that may give the appearance of tired, worn-out skin. The product’s natural silica content is also necessary for healthy skin, teeth, hair, and nails, and the product is often touted as a potent beauty mineral.
3. Supports Heart Health
Research has also shown that food-grade diatomaceous may offer positive benefits for cholesterol levels and encourage heart health.[5] Nutrients such as silicon, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, and other trace minerals are available in diatomaceous earth, giving rise to a practically endless supply of health benefits. Most of these nutrients play a role in building and repairing of muscles and bones.
4. Natural Pesticide
One of the most common uses for diatomaceous earth is as a natural insecticide. Studies indicate that this clay-like powder can kill the harmful insects that threaten crops and home life. [6] Due to the incessant use of pesticides, many insects have become resistant to chemical deterrents. This organic pest control method is helpful for reducing the amount of environmental toxins we’re all exposed to.
5. Internal Cleanser
Diatomaceous earth acts as a mild abrasive topically as well as internally. It can help to remove intestinal invaders and other harmful organisms from the digestive tract. As an internal cleanser, diatomaceous earth may aid cleansing by supporting regularity and assist in removing toxic metals.[7] Some studies have shown diatomaceous earth to be very successful in ridding animals of harmful organisms. Food-grade diatomaceous earth placed in the feed of livestock may help discourage fleas and other harmful bugs.[8] Make sure that all diatomaceous earth is labeled “food grade” and is untreated and unheated!
What are your favorite uses for diatomaceous earth? Leave a comment and share your experience!
-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
The use of essential oils for wellness and healing seems to be catching everyone’s attention these days. This is true not only in the prepping and homesteading world, but in the mainstream world of traditional medicine as well.
While it is easy to recommend using essential oils for whatever ails you, the question of which essential oil to use for a specific ailment can be elusive. Let’s face it. Sometimes you have a little problem that you want to solve right now, without resorting to a ton of research.
I am going to make it easy for you. With the assistance of author Rebecca Schiffhauer, I have compiled a go-to list of 20 great ways to use essential oils to solve everyday ailments not only for you, but your pets and children as well.
20 Great Ways to Use Essential Oils
1. Hiccups
Dab some Peppermint on the back of your neck, a little on each side of the spinal cord.
2. Runny nose
Swipe a drop of Lemon down each side of the nose to dry it up. Stay out of the sun afterwards to avoid sunburn.
3. Drowsiness
Combine Peppermint and Wild Orange, apply to the back of the neck, next inhale the oil left on your hands. Or add 4 drops of each to your diffuser.
4. Itchy, irritated eyes
Dab Lavender with a bit of carrier oil on the facial bones surrounding your eyes (careful to keep oil away from eyes). If applying to children, make sure they don’t rub their eyes until oil is absorbed.
5. Allergies
Mix up equal parts of Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint ~ nature’s antibiotic! Apply to bottom of your feet morning and night. Diffuse if possible. Spark Naturals sells a convenient blend called called L.L.P. – short for Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint!
6. Ear Ache/Infection
Combine 2 drops Basil or Melaleuca (aka Tea Tree) with a little carrier oil and rub around the rim of the ear, behind the ear and just inside. Apply several times a day. Note: never drop essential oils directly into the ear.
7. Troubled breathing
Have a bit of chest congestion or asthma? Apply Respire blend on the chest, then cup your hands over your face and breath in the residual Respire blend on it ~ creating a natural “inhaler”.
8. Bad breath
A drop of Peppermint on your tongue and you’re kissable fresh again.
9. Athlete’s foot
Melaleuca works wonders! Apply neat (meaning undiluted) to affected areas twice a day.
10. Toe fungus
Melaleuca to the rescue again. Dab the affected toenail with a saturated q-tip morning and night.
11. Unsightly warts or skin tags
Use a Q-tip to dab one drop of Oregano oil on the affected area morning and night. Oregano is a hot oil so you won’t want to spread it around. Skin tags should fall off in two or three of weeks. Warts will take a bit longer but eventually will disappear.
For kids: Lemon works wonderfully too. Apply morning and night and don’t cover with a Band-Aid; it’s important to let the area breathe. Also, it’s convenient to put the EO in a roll-on bottle so kids can apply themselves…they like taking charge Be careful of too much sun after the application of lemon oil.
12. Cellulite
Pour a bottle of Grapefruit into a 4 oz. bottle of fractionated coconut oil and rub into problem areas after shower or bath. You’ll smell divine and your skin will be so soft.
13. Diaper Rash
Mix up some Diaper Spray: 18 oz. water, 1 tsp. organic body wash, 4 drops Melaleuca, 4 drops Lavender. This is a great diaper rash preventative too! DIY Healing Salve is a wonder for this as well.
14. Fleas on Your Dog
Drip a couple drops of Melaleuca on back of your dog’s collar. Or, tie a bandanna with a few drops of Melaleuca around your dogs neck and watch fleas flee!
15. Dog’s Ear Infection
Place 1 of drop of Melaleuca and carrier oil on a cotton ball, wipe inside of ear several times a day.
16. Dog with Sunburned Nose
Dab a little Lavender with carrier oil on his nose for relief. This works for people too!
17. Muscle Aches
Mix 1 part Amend blend with 1 part fractionated coconut oil as a penetrating, pain relieving massage oil. Add a drop of Birch or Wintergreen for extra strength. Or, try Lemongrass mixed with some DIY Healing Salve.
18. Fever
A few drops of Peppermint mixed with a carrier oil and applied to the torso can drop body temperature by 3 degrees in minutes.
19. Burns
A drop of Lavender will immediately stop the pain and mitigate tissue damage.
20. Heartburn
A couple drops of Peppermint in a small glass of milk will knock out heartburn. Or, try rubbing a few drops of Digest blend over your chest. It really works!
The Final Word
My love affair with essential oils continues. These days I have moved beyond the basics of Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint and Melaleuca (tea tree) and rely on a variety of oils to do various things. They are used for first aid, personal grooming, stress relief, and general health and wellness.
To be honest, three years ago, if someone told me I was going to dump, literally, all of my over-the-counter remedies in favor of essential oils I would have thought “no way”. Clearly, that is exactly what has happened. I now have a large collection of oils that should serve me well for a long time as long and I continue my pursuit of knowledge about these amazing substances.
I know I am not alone. Whenever I write an article extolling the virtues of essential oils, I receive a flurry of emails that reflect a pent up interest in learning more about essential oils and how they can be used to enhance our long term well-being and survival.
Where are you going and what are you doing? The light can be blinding today, so make sure you have your special glasses. Those glasses can show you the truth that bleeds through the illusion that is all around you. Words will be metaphors and sound, similes. It is a good day to start seeing what is at the base of all things. Castles can be built on wobbly foundations, even as hovels can be built on stone. Things that are said are not always things that are meant. This can be quite confusing unless you work from the heart. Use your intuition today. Listen with the ears of connection. There is much going on right now, and it is time to see things for what they truly are. Oh, and don’t forget to breathe.
Materials
The end chunk of a potato (enough to be able to hold firmly)
Course salt
A rusty cast iron skillet
A little vegetable oil (canola or olive will do)
Equipment
Gloves (optional, but recommended)
Instructions
1. Place your rusty skillet in the sink and sprinkle a couple tablespoons of salt into it.
2. Take your chunk of potato and start scrubbing. The moisture from the potato will be enough to help the salt dig in to the rust.
3. The salt will get dirty very quickly. You may choose to rinse out the pan to survey your progress. If there is still rust, add more salt and repeat Step 2.
4. Continue to the sides, edges, bottom and handle of your pan.
5. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
6. Place pan on stove burner, this will help dry any remaining moisture.
7. Once dry, put a small amount of vegetable oil in the pan and rub it in with a paper towel.
8. Keep pan over low heat for at least 30 minutes.
9. Let skillet cool. Make sure to wipe off any excess oil before storing your skillet. If you leave extra oil in the pan it can turn rancid.
10. Every time you use your pan, after you’ve cleaned it (I never use soap, but that’s up to you), put the pan on a low burner and repeat the oil and paper towel step. It’s best to store your pan in the oven, but it worked much better when stoves had pilot lights that stayed on (thus keeping ambient moisture away from your pans).
Extremely dangerous earthquake close to the Napa Valley, California – no official report of injuries so far but a lot of damage
Last update: August 24, 2014 at 2:09 pm by By Armand Vervaeck
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Update 13:57 UTC : A typical strike-slip earthquake with a mainly horizontal movement OR in otrher words the most dangerous earthquake type in the world. Still no official reports about injured people. A lot of rumours though.
Update 13:27 UTC : Damage we can expect at a place like Napa Valley. What a terrible waste of energy for the wine makers. Hopefulkly they are well insured
Update 13:24 UTC : No official reports of injuries so far (let’s call this a miracle)
Update 13:18 UTC : 68,742 customers still without power across California; majority affected are in Napa and Sonoma counties
Update 13:13 UTC : Significant damage to downtown Napa, ordering rescue teams, people trapped in homes
The Napa City council reports that some streets in downtown Napa, Calif., are being closed following major damage to buildings
Update 11:45 UTC : Twitter user Mike Smith just wrote : Listening to a Napa County scanner stream. Sounds like a lot of injuries and damage in the Napa/Sonoma area.
Update 11:38 UTC : A building partly collapsed in Napa (see image below). ER fears that there are more cases like this one. Hard to say how many people might be injured but we are sure that there wil be people injured during this quake. Recent houses will be OK but alder not-refitted houses might be of risk.
Update 11:29 UTC : California Highway Patrol checking crossings and bridges for obvious signs of structural integrity after quake. For our readers from elsewhere in the world : The earthquake happened in the middle of the night and rescue services have to operate in the dark. millions of people have been awakened from the shaking of this earthquake
Update 11:23 UTC : There is a population of 280000 people in a radius of 20 km around the epicenter. Power outages are reported in North Bay area of San Francisco as well as Sonoma, Napa counties
Update 11:13 UTC : Until now much reports of shaken interiors from Napa and the Napa valley area
Update 11:08 UTC : People in Napa Valley are frightened and call it the biggest ever. The image below is from a house in Napa. San Francisco no reports of damage so far.
Ar ER we call a radius of 10 km around the epicenter as extremely dangerous and a radius of 30 km as dangerous for damage/injuries
Update 11:01 UTC : ER calls this earthquake extremely dangerous for serious damage and even injuries.
Update 10:59 UTC : We apologise for not being able to serve all our readers as the servers can only serve a limited number of people (thousands at a time) but demand is simply too high to cope
6km (4mi) NW of American Canyon, California
9km (6mi) SSW of Napa, California
13km (8mi) NNW of Vallejo, California
14km (9mi) SE of Sonoma, California
82km (51mi) WSW of Sacramento, California
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 6
Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2014-08-24 03:20:44
By Kelly Dickerson, Staff Writer | August 22, 2014
El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Fenners
The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) turns 98 years old on Monday (Aug. 25), and to celebrate, the agency is throwing open the doors to all national parks, and inviting people to visit for free.
Many parks will host special events this weekend to celebrate the anniversary, including lecture series and concerts, and some will even serve a birthday cake to visitors. It may be the perfect chance to check out some of the least-visited national parks and to take advantage of tours at parks like Grand Teton and Yellowstone, which usually cost around $25.
The NPS is a government agency under the Department of the Interior that manages national parks, monuments and historical sites. Usually 133 of the country’s 401 national parks charge an entrance fee, but on Monday, the entrance fee, commercial tour fee and parking fee will all be waived. Visitors will still have to pay for things like camping and concessions
On Aug. 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act into law, creating the National Park Service. The agency was established “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations,” according to the Organic Act.
However, the Leopold Report, which is officially titled Wildlife Management in the National Parks, and which was given to the NPS in 1963, is often credited with getting serious park conservation efforts underway. The report also encouraged the NPS to seek out scientists and researchers to help develop rules and regulations to protect parklands. Prior to the report, the NPS allowed such controversial events to take place in its parks as the Yosemite National Park bear-feeding program in the 1940s, and the mass elk hunting permitted in Yellowstone National Park in the early 1960s.
Now, scientists and researchers help inform NPS policies, such as the recent decision to ban drones from all national parks to protect visitors and wildlife.
National parks cover more than 84 million acres across the country and see about 275 million visitors each year. Park entrance fees will be waived again on National Public Lands Day (Sept. 27) and Veterans Day (Nov. 11).
Since time immemorial, human beings have been experimenting with what we eat. We have discovered, consumed, and created countless foods and substances – some of which taste amazing, some that make us feel invincible, and some that even induce profound and revelatory visions! – all in the name of trying to figure out who we are, how to live longer, and how to feel the best ever.
But something that is just now starting to be understood scientifically is that: a culture is what it eats – and food really does make us who we are!!
Via the internet, we now have access to thousands of years of indigenous knowledge in regards to the best and worst foods man has ever eaten – and today, the ones that pack serious nutritional power and medicinal qualities are now often referred to as ‘superfoods’. By choosing to learn about and consume only the healthiest foods on the planet, and understanding the reasons why we want to consume them, we have an unprecedented ability to support our bodies and consciously boost the evolutionary thrust of humankind via our diets!
So.. to start things off, here’s a list of 10 absolutely amazing superfoods that – along with just being superbly nutritious – will also start you on your path towards becoming a truly exemplary human being
10 Amazing Superfoods
10. Pine Pollen
Pine Pollen has been used as a medicine since the beginning of time. It is a truly super substance, and is now beginning to get a lot of attention in the health food community; very few substances on Earth have as many positive benefits as Pine Pollen.
Pine pollen is powerful tonic, which means it can be used for any length of time without becoming toxic to the body. It is also an androgen – containing both testosterone and DHEA- and is amazingly effective at balancing the ratio of androgens to estrogen, making it appropriate for both men and women. There are only a handful of substances in nature that naturally raise testosterone levels – and pine pollen is one of them! It is also a complete protein – containing all essential amino acids – as well as a complete nutritive, which means it contains a vast array of vitamins and minerals.
For thousands of years Pine Pollen has been used successfully by people from all different parts of the world to elevate libido, increase vitality, slow the aging process, boost energy levels, maintain mental integrity, and even fight against breast and prostate cancer! It can be be used externally to treat conditions like eczema, rashes, and acne; it also contains Phenylalanine, which stimulates dopamine production in the brain, and is an L-dopa precursor (more on L-dopa to come) – which itself is now being used widely to treat depression and other mental disorders, and is now widely available in supplement form.
The depth of benefits Pine Pollen provides are honestly to vast to list – more benefits are being discovered and researched everyday. Although Pine Pollen has proven itself throughout history, the power of this whole food tonic is just now starting to go mainstream – and the results for many people are staggering! One thing is for sure: if health, longevity and happiness are goals in your life, Pine Pollen would certainly be a great place to start.
9. Cordyceps
Cordyceps are a mycellium fungi that grow at very high elevations throughout China. It looks a bit strange – sometimes like a caterpillar, other times like a piece of grass – and is often used to treat immune deficiencies, boost energy, increase endurance, and improve chronic fatigue syndrome. More recently, it has received a lot of attention for apparently improving oxygen utilization in the body – which has been great news for endurance athletes!
It is incredibly difficult to harvest, and this is why traditionally it was very expensive to buy. However today, there are new methods of growing and harvesting Cordyceps that are more sustainable and much less difficult.
Cordyceps renowned ability to improve cardiovascular performance in endurance athletes began many years ago when it was used extensively by long distance runners in rural China. In Traditional Chinese medicine it has been, and still is, one of the most sought after super food medicines around. Cordyceps have been shown to increase oxygen uptake, boost immune function, improve digestion, raise testosterone levels – and again, for you athletes out there, this little fungus is now being used extensively to help slow down the onset of exercise induced fatigue while improving stamina, by increasing ATP (adenosine triphosphate) levels in the body (ATP is essentially the energy currency for the entire body). Not too shabby yeah?
If that weren’t enough, Cordyceps has also been used to treat kidney disorders, sexual dysfunction issues, heart and blood related ailments, anemia, high cholesterol levels, even liver disorders such as Hepatitis B.
Today in the United States, you can buy Cordyceps in many different forms – from whole extracts in capsule form, to powders, to liquid tinctures. Traditionally the whole fungus was consumed, as it is was believed that consuming the entire fungus was the best way to get all the beneficial compounds into your system in the right balancing ratios. Opinions vary on this, and the jury is still out on whether or not this is still the case, but many people still choose to use the entire fungus, as this is considered to be the true, holistic way.
Regardless of how you choose to take it, Cordyceps remains a profoundly powerful superfood that will definitely aid you in your quest towards becoming truly superhuman. Just give it a try! You won’t regret it.
8. Sacha Inchi Seeds
Very recently, Sacha Inchi Seeds (*see first image, above) have been re-popularized by the Vegan triathlete Brendan Brazier as an absolute must for any serious health nut (no pun intended). They are touted as being the absolute best source of Omega 3 fatty acids on the planet — with over 7000mg of heart-healthy Omega 3’s per one ounce serving — which is vastly higher than Chia seeds, salmon, or algae oil. Truly awesome.
Omega 3’s are important for more reasons than we can get into here – but if there is anything to walk away with about Omega 3’s, it’s this: they keep your body flexible and un-inflamed, your mind sharp and your brain healthy – and most importantly – they keep your spirit soaring! Without adequate daily Omega 3 intake we quickly become sad and depressed – it’s as simple as that. And so it’s very important that we start to increase and then balance our intake of Omega 3’s, as much as we can, and as soon as possible.
Unfortunately today, Omega 6 fatty acids are still the most abundantly consumed fatty acids all around the world. This is because most cooked foods are cooked in oils that are very high in Omega 6, and very low in Omega 3’s – and so unless you’ve been living a very healthy existence for most of your life, you are likely dealing with some degree of Omega 3 deficiency. To balance this deficiency, we have to start by increasing our intake of Omega 3’s daily, while also decreasing our intake of Omega 6 fatty acids – and supplementing Sachi Inchi Seeds into your diet is perhaps the best and healthiest way to do just that!
In addition to being am amazing source of healthy Omega 3 fatty acids, Sacha Inchi contain about 29 mg of the amino acid tryptophan per serving – much higher than any animal source. Tryptophan is essential for promoting a clam and positive mood, as well as helping one to sleep soundly. These amazing seeds are also very high in antioxidants, fiber, and are an excellent source of quality protein.
Given all these amazing attributes, it’s difficult to understand why superfoods like Sacha Inchi are not being talked about more. Hopefully after reading this however, you’ll not only go out and try them out for yourself, but maybe even start spreading the word and sharing them with your friends!
Man, what a healthier world it would be…!
7. Dulse
Dulse is pretty much an all around rockstar in the superfood game. It is a sea vegetable that has been used for thousands of years by many different cultures throughout East Asia, and is most widely utilized today in Japanese cuisine – in dishes ranging from soups, to salads, to sushi. Although it may not sound or look all that appealing, the vast benefits of eating Dulse are by far reason enough to begin adjusting your palate!
Dulse is incredibly high in vitamins and minerals – specifically Vitamins B6, B12,A, Iron, Potassium, Phosphorus, and Manganese. It helps to heal poor digestion, cleanses the body of heavy metals, is high in protein and fiber, supports healthy brain function, and is incredibly high in Iodine. (Iodine is paramount for healthy thyroid function, and is even being made into supplements now to help people with hyperthyroidism). Dulse is also a powerful liver detoxifier, healing and enhancing the liver’s ability to deal with stress of all kinds, while increasing its ability to detox the body.
Supplementing Dulse into your diet is not difficult – there are literally thousands of awesome recipes that utilize Dulse as a tasty additive. When dried, Dulse is quite salty, so it can easily be used in soups and salads to increase flavor. Dulse can also be sprinkled on basically any cooked dish instead of table salt, making it an ideal alternative for people looking to either reduce their salt intake, or transition to a healthier type of salt.
The Japanese are renowned for their long life spans and lack of debilitating diseases – and this has been directly linked to their continued use of seafoods and sea vegetables in their diet. In addition to adding Dulse to your diet, you can also find Dulse supplements, and it is often included in many green superfood powders. Therefore, if you’re looking for a way to get the benefits of Dulse without having to adjust to the taste, there are plenty of options out there for you.
NOTE: Due to the possible radiation contamination of much of the Pacific Ocean after the nuclear catastrophe at the Fukushima plant in Japan – as well as the concentration of heavy metals and other toxins in ocean fish and seaweeds due to other pollution – be sure to seek out only organic sources of Dulse and other seaweeds. There are organic options available – Eden Foods and Maine Cost products are great sources to start from. By choosing organic you will get all the amazing benefits of ocean seaweeds, without any possibility of contaminating your own health, so make the safe choice.
6. Macuna
Best known in Ayruvedic medicine as “Kapikachu”, Macuna is nourishing to all three Dosha types. In Indian medicine this essentially means it is balancing to all facets of the body/mind, and can be used by most people – a trait only a few other herbs and adaptogens possess (Ginseng is also nourishing to all three Doshas). Macuna is truly multifaceted in its medical uses. It is often used to treat fertility issues in men, libido issues in both men and women, to build muscle in weak individuals, and to treat depression, Parkinson’s, and other brain disorders.
Macuna’s high L-dopa content is part of what makes it so extraordinary. As stated earlier, L-dopa is a direct pre-cursor to dopamine, which is an essential neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood and balancing hormone levels, keeping the body/mind in balance and equilibrium. In addition, Macuna also contains trace amounts of the chemicals DMT, 5-meo-DMT, 5HT (serotonin), nicotine, and bufotenin – all of which have mind altering effects, and which contribute to Macuna’s anti-depressant activity. Some people say after taking Macuna for a period of time, that all of the grayness and boredom that used to plague their day-to-day life seemed to just fall away. Some even go so far as to say that Macuna gave them a second chance at life!
The real promise of Macuna is that it reportedly has an astounding ability to make life colorful again – by regulating depressive feelings, mildly heightening the senses, balancing brain chemistry, and increasing interest in other people and the environment. Furthermore, when mixed alchemically with other foods – such as Cacao – Macunas effects are not only compounded, but it also helps to mitigate the overstimulating effects that substances like Cacao have on some individuals – which basically makes the Macuna/Cacao combination a superbly balanced elixir treat!
So if you’re looking for an all-around awesome superfood, you really need look no further than Macuna. A powerful adaptogen, aphrodisiac and anti-depressant, this herb was truly made for the gods – which is really just another way of saying that it was made for you!
5. Moringa Oleifera
Tree of life! The mystical miracle tree! These are just a couple of the names people have used to refer to this amazing superfood, more commonly known as Moringa Oleifera – or just Moringa.
Moringa is a super-leaf that touts an incredibly vast and impressive nutritional profile. It contains 92 nutrients, 46 antioxidants, 36 anti-inflammatories, 18 amino acids, and 9 essential amino acids. It contains 125% daily value of Calcium, 225% daily value of vitamin A precursors (which means it basically blows carrots out of the water), 3X more potassium than bananas, and 7X the amount of vitamin C of oranges. Sometimes, the simplest looking foods are actually nature’s greatest heroes.
But what really makes Moringa so profound is its uncanny ability to boost energy levels (which isn’t hard to understand, given everything that’s in it). Many people are starting to replace their morning cup of joe with Moringa tea – yes, it’s that powerful – because they’re realizing that the over-stimulating nature of coffee is not ultimately the best thing for the body. The energy you get from Morninga lasts much longer, there’s no crash, and it doesn’t drain your adrenal glands – it’s the best of all worlds!
In addition to increasing physical energy, Moringa also helps with digestion, immune system function, mood and emotional balance, blood pressure, stomach ulcers, workout recovery, inflammation… again, there are so many benefits to taking Moringa that it really is impossible to list them all here! And really, if you’re not convinced yet, well then, perhaps this just isn’t your cup of tea!
Moringa can be taken in a number of ways, but the most popular are to either make a tea with the leaves, ingest the oil, or take it in powdered form. And while each method offers some benefits that the others do not (something you can experiment with), no matter how you decide to take Moringa, you will certainly not be disappointed. More than likely, you will soon find yourself preaching the word of the magical, mystical Tree of Life to everyone you meet!
4. Shilajit
The discovery of Shilajit in modern times is almost as awesome as the substance itself. Back in the 1860’s, some British explorers who were hiking in the himalayan mountains came upon a group of monkeys who were eating something gooey and strange that seemed to be oozing out from the rocks. After some research, it was soon discovered that these particular monkeys were aging much slower than others in the region – monkeys who were not consuming this substance each day. Coincidence? They didn’t think so… and they were right!
So what is this weird oozing substance exactly? Shilajit. It is basically very old plant life that has been concentrated and condensed under the perfect climactic conditions over hundreds of years, and has since turned into a thick mineral pitch, full of beneficial substances such as fulvic acid and ionic minerals. These minerals are said be absorbed on a cellular level (which is not the case with most foods), and this makes Shilajit the ideal anti-aging substance. The yogis of India say that Shilajit will make the human body like a rock, allowing it to further withstand the natural decay and destruction that usually accompanies the aging process.
In addition, Shilajit is believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac in Indian culture, and is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine to treat inflammation conditions such as arthritis, to cure depression, increase immunity, and boost brain function and metabolism. It is the perfect substance to pair along with other foods and herbs to further boost their bioavailability and e!ffectiveness- basically a superfood for superfoods!
All this said, it is very important if you are interested in supplementing Shilajit into your diet, that you seek out authentic and pure sources. lotusbloomingherbs.com is a good place to start, as long as you have some money in the bank. There are other quality brands out there as well, just make sure you read lots of reviews and do some research before you make any purchases, because unfortunately there are some fakers out there… and you definitely want the real stuff.
3. Baobab
The Baobab fruit (from the Baobab tree) has been used for thousands of years in Africa to treat a variety of diseases and ailments – it possesses powerful nutritional benefits that are so astounding, this superfood ranks in as one the most sought after in the entire world.
What makes Baobab so powerful is it’s incredibly high vitamin C content; a 100 gram serving of Baobab pulp contains almost 500 milligrams of vitamin C – nearly 10 times the amount in oranges. This places Baobab in a rare group of ‘super fruits’, for there are only a handful of fruits in the world containing Vitamin C at that level.
A note on Vitamin C…
The difference between naturally occurring Vitamin C and ascorbic acid is profound – it’s truly like day and night. Consider this quote: a vitamin is “a working process consisting of the nutrient, enzymes, coenzymes, antioxidants, and trace mineral activators” (Royal Lee “What Is a Vitamin?” Applied Trophology, August 1956).
Without the entire nutrient profile – that is, the whole food and everything that is in it – Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) does not contain the necessary counterparts to make it a truly effective and bioavailable medicine. By taking Vitamin C out of nature and into a lab, we destroy most of what makes Vitamin C beneficial, which is the complex relationship between a wide variety of contributing nutritional factors. Take away the relationship and the mutual support of the enzymes, antioxidants, and minerals that assist Vitamin C in being so effective, and your basically left with a hollow shell. This does not mean that there is no benefit to taking ascorbic acid, because there is. But comparatively speaking, natural vitamin C sources are vastly more effective for a wide range of diseases, disorders, and deficiencies.
In addition to it’s high Vitamin C content, Baobab has been shown to help overweight or obese people to reduce weight, by keeping insulin levels under control. This is due to its ability to balance starch/sugar digestion, and modulate glycemic response. It has been shown to support healthy skin due to it’s unusually high level of key minerals and antioxidants – such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. And finally, it has shown great potential as a treatment for heart disease and liver detoxification.
Again, the nutritional profile of Baobab works synergistically to create balance and health on a multitude of levels. Each mineral, coenzyme and hepato-protective property must be present in order for the food to do its best work, and you cannot divorce even one property from the rest without drastically reducing the quality of Baobab’s nutritional potential. This goes for all foods, but is especially important with superfoods, if indeed we are interested in becoming the best human beings ever!
Superfoods are the true powerhouses of nature’s healing potential, and Baobab is the perfect reminder of that fact. If you are looking to try this awesome superfood for yourself, there are several online retailers offering organic Baobab powder at reasonable prices.
2. Gynostemma (or Jiaogulan)
Gynostemma – or Jiaogulan in Chinese – is quite simply the best of the best when it comes to adaptogenic herbs. Sometimes referred to as southern Ginseng, Gynostemma is an amazingly diverse herb, and its applications (like many super foods on this list) are seemingly limitless! It is neither a stimulant nor a sedative, but rather promotes a balanced sense of invigoration and calmness. It has anti-aging effects, supports digestion, and is superbly powerful for building the immune system. It’s also widely known throughout China to induce a “spirit lifting” effect – enhancing ones mood, while also making one more social.
A true adaptogen, this herbal treasure has a stress modulating quality which keeps the neurological, immunological, metabolic, endocrine, and respiratory systems functioning at the highest level. There is no age at which one cannot safely consume Gynostemma, which makes it the ideal herb for anyone generally looking to improve their quality of life, throughout their life.
The ability of Gynostemma to be both invigorating and calming has to do with its effect on the central nervous system. Japanese scientists have recently done numerous studies with Gynostemma and have concluded that it has a double-directional and regulating effect on the CNS (a fancy way of saying that it is awesome at keeping the body in equilibrium).
The ingredients that make this herb so powerful are generally known as saponins, and in Gynostemma they are called gypenosides. There are over 100 active gypenosides in Gynostemma, and these are what give it its amazing healing and adaptogenic effects. There have been studies to suggest that these compounds may also be good for the heart, and that it even helps athletes, as well as underweight individuals, to build and maintain healthy muscle mass.
In order to get the most out of this herb and receive all of the beneficial gypenosides, you would do well to either buy the leaves yourself and make a tea – or my personal favorite – go out and try Ron Teeguardens Spring Dragon Tea from Dragon Herbs. Proclaimed to be “healthiest tea on earth”, it not only boasts Gynostemma as the main ingredient, this tea also contains 5 other tonic herbs – Schizandra fruit, Goji Berries, Eleuthero Root, Astragalus Root and Lou Han Guo – all of which have healing properties of their own.
1. Chaga
King of the medicinal mushrooms! Mushroom of immortality! A gift from God! These are just a few of the titles given to the amazing superfood commonly referred to as Chaga. The most nutritionally dense of all tree growths, Chaga mushroom has developed has become the masterful king of the forest over thousands of years of evolution. It concentrates natural compounds for its own protection in harsh climates (which is precisely what makes it such a powerful medicine) as well as to nurture and protect the tree it is attached to. There is truly nothing in the world like Chaga mushroom.
Tree’s can live a very long time – much longer than herbs or other plants. Chaga essentially takes the life giving properties of trees and concentrates them in itself, while also helping to heal the tree at the same time – it’s a symbiotic relationship. And so, by eating Chaga mushrooms, you are literally absorbing the energy and nutritional compounds of the longest living beings on Earth! What else do you need to know?!
Well, it actually gets a lot cooler. Chaga contains numerous B vitamins, flavonoids, phenols, minerals, enzymes, as well as SOD (superoxide dismutase) and phenolic compounds which are known as chromogenic complex; this complex is highly protective against all tissues in the human body, and is a complex only found in Chaga mushrooms. It is anti-inflammatory, anti- parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-tumor, and anti-allergenic, it’s a powerful blood sugar balancer and blood purifier, it has immunomodulating properties, it improves circulation, helps purify the liver, is cardio- protective… and the list just goes on and on!
But the real champion of Chaga mushroom lies in in its SOD content. Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme with great potency and the ability to halt oxidation – specifically the toxicity of a free radical known as singlet oxygen. Singlet oxidation is responsible for damaging and destroying tissues in the body, and is one of the main contributors to aging; SOD is able to halt this free radical and slow down the aging process, making people look, think, and feel younger again! It is also Chaga’s incredibly high SOD content which accounts for most of it’s historical powers. In addition, Chaga boasts one of the highest antioxidant contents of any food on Earth, and is already being used in a variety of anticancer protocols around the world for its uncanny affinity for fighting melanomas.
Russian scientists invented the term ‘adaptogen’ in reference to a class of tonics, herbs and mushrooms with incredibly beneficial properties. Of all the adaptogens they studied, Chaga was found to be the most beneficial across all spectrums. Chaga is backed up by thousands of scientific studies, many of which were first done in Russia, and which are still being conducted today in order to find out what else Chaga might be able to do for humanity. Chaga’s use in anti-cancer protocols has already been shown many times – now the word just needs to get out!!
When sold, Chaga comes in many different forms, each of which offers its own unique benefits (There’s a lot to go into on this topic so if you’d like to know more about how to prepare Chaga, David Wolfe’s amazing book ‘Chaga’ is highly recommended and the absolute best resource on the subject. There is also a lot of good information on Paul Stamets’ website as well as online).
You can make tinctures, teas, or just use the powder. And depending on which way you prepare Chaga, different compounds will be extracted in different ratios, while the bioavailability of those different compounds will also vary. Chaga tea is certainly the most popular, but they are all beneficial in their own way. So look into the research and try a few different methods; it is astonishingly effective regardless of how you take it.
In truth, we have yet to scratch the surface of how amazing this superfood could be for human beings – especially when combined with other super foods, tonics and adaptogens. Having seen all the amazing benefits of this powerful adaptogenic mushroom, it seems that Chaga may not only be the king of the medicinal mushrooms, but perhaps also the king of all superfoods as well!
