Maria Mangini Thrive Consultation Services

12/16/2025

The Science Shows Glyphosate Must Be Banned
by Dr. André Leu D.Sc., BA Com., Grad Dip Ed. International Director, Regeneration International:

The primary scientific study pesticide regulators worldwide used to justify the approval of Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and many other herbicides, has been retracted due to fraud...

Read more in this week's Organic Bytes newsletter: https://organicconsumers.org/organic-bytes-newsletter-921-bayer-and-syngenta-trying-to-block-cancer-victims-right-to-sue/

12/12/2025

A study from the University of Massachusetts found that a simple baking soda soak can remove surface pesticides far more effectively than common washing methods. The alkaline nature of baking soda helps break down certain pesticide molecules, allowing them to detach from fruit skins.

Researchers discovered that soaking fruits in a baking soda solution for about 12–15 minutes removed nearly all traces of commonly used pesticides like thiabendazole and phosmet. These chemicals often linger even after rinsing with water or vinegar.

Unlike vinegar, which mainly cleans bacteria, baking soda actually alters the chemical structure of some pesticides, making them easier to dissolve and wash away. This makes it especially useful for produce with thinner skins such as apples, grapes, and peaches.

Food safety experts highlight that while peeling fruit is effective, it also removes important nutrients found in the skin. Baking soda provides a safer alternative that preserves nutritional value while reducing exposure to harmful residues.

As consumer awareness grows, many households are turning to this inexpensive cleaning method for everyday produce. It’s a simple step that can significantly reduce chemical intake without requiring special tools or pricey products.

12/11/2025

Oats are not GMO. But higher levels of glyphosate are being found in oats and other non-GMO grains than in GMO corn and GMO soy because they are sprayed with glyphosate before harvest to dry them out (desiccate). A recent study linked higher urine levels of a glyphosate metabolite to an increased risk of breast cancer.

In addition to glyphosate, which is bad enough, a 2024 study detected chlormequat in 92% of oat-based foods purchased and tested, including Quaker Oats and Cheerios. Toxicological studies suggest that exposure to chlormequat can reduce fertility and harm the developing fetus at doses lower than those used by regulatory agencies to set allowable daily intake levels.

Make sure your oatmeal, oat flour, and oats in granola and other foods are organic, which will reduce your exposure to glyphosate and chlormequat. Knowledge is power!

LEARN more in our podcast episode Glyphosate & Roundup: Poison in Our Daily Bread: https://youtu.be/g1QYt-bgTvY

And read about a study showing how glyphosate urine levels dropped after switching to an organic diet: tinyurl.com/OrganicDietReducesGlyphosate

Read more: Study finds chlormequat in Cheerios and Quaker products (and more): https://tinyurl.com/ChlormequatInOats

12/11/2025

Pre-1970s-Primarily non-profit.
1973 (HMO Act)-Federal government incentivized HMOs as alternative to traditional insurance laying groundwork for managed care & profitability.
1990s (Blues Conversion)-State regulators allowed Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, previously non-profit, to become for-profit.

12/09/2025

"We're talking about food that is not food." San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu is suing some of the country’s biggest ultraprocessed foods manufacturers in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit.

Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) “are making us sick, plain and simple,” Chiu said when he announced the lawsuit. “These products in our diets are deeply linked to serious health conditions imposing enormous costs on millions of Americans and cities and states across our country. Our case is about companies who design food to be harmful and addictive and marketed their products to maximize profits. So what are ultraprocessed foods? We’re talking about food that is not food. That is not found in nature, created by combining artificial chemicals with industrialized processes.”

If it contains ingredients not found in your pantry, it's junk.

Kellogg's et al. The time for accountability is NOW.

Read more: https://www.supermarketnews.com/legislation-regulatory-news/san-francisco-city-attorney-sues-ultraprocessed-food-manufacturers

12/08/2025

You eat fruits to get healthier, but what if they’re covered in something harmful?

Studies have revealed a surprisingly effective solution. Soaking fruits in a baking soda and water mix can eliminate up to 96% of surface pesticides outperforming vinegar and plain water by a wide margin.

This matters because pesticide residues cling tightly to fruit skins, especially apples, grapes, and berries. Even thorough rinsing under tap water may not be enough. But a 15-minute soak in a simple solution of baking soda and water breaks down and neutralizes the chemicals more effectively, leaving your produce cleaner and safer to eat.

Here’s how to do it: mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda into 2 cups of water. Submerge the fruits for 12 to 15 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly. That’s it.

This doesn’t just clean. It protects. Long-term exposure to pesticide residues has been linked to hormone disruption, immune issues, and developmental effects in children. That’s why a small change in your kitchen routine can have big health benefits.

It’s not just about taste or appearance. It’s about reducing chemical intake, especially for your kids, your elders, and anyone trying to live cleaner.

So next time you bring home a basket of apples or grapes, take a few extra minutes. Soak, rinse, and protect your health.

12/06/2025

Dr. Niels Finsen, who won a Nobel Prize for using sunlight to heal patients, was nearly erased from history. His groundbreaking work in phototherapy showed that sunlight could be used to treat diseases like tuberculosis, and his treatments were considered revolutionary at the time. Unfortunately, his achievements were overshadowed as pharmaceutical treatments took precedence.

Finsen’s story highlights how natural healing methods, once deemed groundbreaking, can be overlooked or even forgotten in favor of synthetic, pharmaceutical solutions. The natural world has always offered remedies for many ailments, but these approaches are often overshadowed by more lucrative treatments.

It’s time to revive the wisdom of using nature’s healing properties, like sunlight, and incorporate them into modern medicine. By rediscovering these natural methods, we can create a more holistic approach to health and wellness. 🌞📚

10/21/2025

BEFORE THERE WAS MEDICINE… THERE WAS NATURE 🌿

09/15/2025