40 Ways to Avoid Xenoestrogens – A Non-Stop Threat to Your Health

 

 

 

On a typical day you probably shower in chlorinated water, put lotion on your skin, roll down the window to get some air on your way to work, eat lunch from the microwave and grab the receipt for your groceries on your way home.

Do you know that just today, you have been exposed to hundreds of chemicals called Xenoestrogens? Every one of these chemicals can be harmful, but when combined they are synergistically even more damaging.

What are Xenoestrogens?   The meaning of the word Xeno is “foreign”.  So, xenoestrogens are chemical compounds that imitate estrogen in the body.  They are also referred to as “environmental hormones” or EDC –  Endocrine Disrupting Compounds. They disrupt metabolism and the normal function of the endocrine system by competing for estrogen receptor sites.   The body sees them as a hormone, and they can block the uptake of our body’s natural hormones. This may lead to an over abundance of estrogen in the body.

One of the main functions of estrogen is to encourage cell growth and activate the proteins that speed up cell division. Estrogens work with the immune system, reproductive system, bone growth and metabolism in both men and women.  Xenoestrogens are stored in the body’s fat cells and they are not biodegradable. With too much estrogen in the body, the natural balance of hormones and trace minerals are thrown off decreasing immunity to fight of yeast, fungal or viral infections.

We are exposed to these chemicals every day in our lives. They are in the air, water, soil, new or dry cleaned clothing, body products, food and medicines like birth control and hormone replacement therapy.  Xenoestrogens are in petrochemicals (like gasoline), insecticides, pesticides and electronics manufacturing. They are byproducts of bleaching paper and incinerating chlorinated products.

Again we are at the beginning of a new experiment on the human race as many of these chemicals have only been introduced within the last 70 years. Science is  beginning to study the effects of xenoestrogens now, and unfortunately and many of the studies are only on one or two specific xenoestrogens, not how they work when combined.

With the sudden rise in obesity, infertility, early onset puberty, neurological development in all ages, diabetes, increases in ovarian, breast, testicular and prostate cancer it makes you wonder just how many chemicals our immune systems can handle.

With awareness of what to look out for, you can limit your exposure to Xenoestrogens by following a few of these tips.

Here are 40 ways you can avoid xenoestrogens and protect your health: 

Makeup/Cosmetics/Body Care Products

• Avoid cosmetics and creams that contain parabens (ethylparaben, propylparaben, buylparaben and methylparaben), propyl gallate (an antioxidant used in beauty care products), phenoxyethanol, and stearalkonium chloride, these chemicals are estrogenic. While oral substances will be 80-90% absorbed by the body, those that are applied to the skin are absorbed at 100%.  So a skin dose of these chemicals are equal to ten times the oral dose in the body.
• Avoid sunscreen that contains the xenoestrogen 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, also known as 4-MBC or Benzophenone.
• Limit your exposure to nail polish and nail polish removing products.
• Beware of bubbles or foaming agents containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
• Avoid antibacterial soaps containing Tricolsan (endocrine disrupting pesticide)
• Use chemical free toothpastes, soaps, hair care products, and deodorants.
• Use a good filter for the water in your shower, for your drinking water and or ice maker.
• Try essential oils or and naturally based fragrances in products.

Cleaning products

• Avoid using fabric softeners that allow petrochemicals to enter your body through your skin.
• Avoid using air fresheners and candles made with chemicals, as they may contain phthalates.
• Steer clear of anything containing Alkylphenol which is used in cleaning detergents.
• Use chlorine-free products and unbleached paper products such as coffee filters, paper towels, toilet paper, menstrual pads and tampons. Read more about the dangers of chlorine on our website here: Dangers of Chlorine.
• Choose biodegradable and chemical free laundry and household cleaning products.

Food

• Avoid all types of unfermented soy.
• Avoid eating foods with BHA (butylated hydroxanisole) This compound is a xenoestrogen and common food additive.
• Do not eat any GMO foods or products.
• Avoid the use of Roundup and other garden chemicals as they contain organophosphate pesticides which interfere with testosterone and are a neurotoxin.
• Check labels to avoid artificial food additives, including sweeteners and MSG. Take along our Grocery Watch List for a list of  food additives to avoid.  Click here to print your own copy: Grocery Watch List.
• Buying locally grown, organic food that is in season also reduces your exposure to pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides
• Choose organic, grass-fed, hormone free dairy products and range free meats. In non-organic meat and dairy, estrogenic compounds are used to make them weigh more or produce more.
• Peel the skin off of any non-organic vegetables and fruits.
• Eat as cleanly as possible and avoid animal fat if not hormone free.
• Try not to use food in cans, as over 85% contain BPA that is used to line the containers.
• Wash food well to remove pesticides.
• When growing your own food, use salt and vinegar to remove weeds instead of pesticides.
• Drink Milk Thistle Tea to support your liver.
• Remember to take your Fulvic Mineral Complex to help keep your trace minerals in balance and detoxify.
• Eat soluble fiber it will help to bind with toxins and reduce estrogen levels.  Eating cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli help the liver to metabolize estrogens.
• Use a good water filter that removes Atrazine, which is a herbicide known to turn male frogs into female ones.

Plastics

• Avoid using plastic cling wrap.
• Avoid children’s toys and baby bottles made of plastic.
• Avoid Flame Retardants used in building materials,  furniture, and clothing listed as Polybrominated biphenyl ether (PBDE’s)
• Avoid products with Phthalates and DEHP (plasticizers)
• Use glass to store your food and water in.
• Keep windows rolled up when commuting in heavy traffic or you may breathe in a higher amount of petrochemical residue.
• Do not use plastic bottles that have been frozen or heated.
• Do not use non-stick cookware or water-resistant coatings on clothes, carpets or furniture, as they may contain PFC’s or Perfluorinated Chemicals.
• If you must use a microwave, do not heat anything in plastic containers.
• Refuse receipts from stores as they contain xenoestrogenic chemicals.

Until we make a decision as a group to hold manufacturers more accountable for the chemicals that they are using in products, the best way to protect your self is with your daily individual choices for you and your family.  One choice, one day at a time, can lessen the burden on your body of this modern chemical storm that  we now live in.

Read more about Xenoestrogens in the following  books:

Our Stolen Future by Theo Colburn, Diane Dumonski and John Peterson Myers

Healthy Living in a Toxic World by Cynthia Fincher, PhD.

The Hundred-Year Lie: How Food and Medicine are Destroying Your Health by Randall Fitzgerald

By Kathleen Threet, Staff Writer at Vital Earth Minerals

 

Myth: Everything You Need Is In Your Food

We can no longer follow the old truism that “All the Nutrients You Need Are In Your Food”.  Modern man broke the system that used to make that statement true.  It used to be so simple; all we had to do was eat vegetables and fruits from these healthy plants to get all the nutrients we need. Today, our produce is nutritionally void now … that means the vitamins and minerals are so low in our produce that they no longer keep us healthy.

In the olden days, healthy plants manufactured an abundance of Fulvic.  Fulvic is the only substance that can dissolve rock based minerals in the soil, and uptake them into the plant.  When plants and trees have plenty of minerals and Fulvic, they can manufacture vitamins.  People and animals need a proper balance of vitamins and minerals to maintain health and reverse diseases.

Many factors combined have resulted in foods becoming “nutritionally hollow”.  Modern farming methods have thrown the entire cycle out of balance.  Our farming soils are weak, which results in sick plants that cannot manufacture the nutrients we need to stay healthy and fight illness and disease.

The increased use of pesticides and irradiation on our produce leaves a finished food with poisons and lower nutrients.  The chemicals used in pesticides contaminate the soil, and kill the good microbes that produce essential Fulvic.  The use of hybrid seeds and crop management based on economics further drains our foods of their minerals and vitamins.

So, how can you tell if plants are healthy or not?  We’ve been told that healthy plants are disease and pest free. Bugs and pests are Nature’s garbage disposers.  When a plant is not healthy enough to provide nutrients for people and animals, nature provides bugs to destroy it.

I had a hard time really believing this until someone gave me a very sick Fichus tree.  It was loaded with scales and had so few leaves on it I didn’t think it could survive.  This pathetic plant became my personal experiment. I wanted to know if it was true that healthy plants fight their own diseases, so I fed it Fulvic Minerals and Humic Minerals every two weeks faithfully.  Almost immediately new leaves began to sprout, but the battle with the scales continued.  Then little by little the scales began to thin out.  Today that sickly tree has so many big healthy leaves it could be a show plant, and there isn’t one single scale on it anywhere.  All I did was to provide the nutrients Nature would have provided under healthy growing conditions.

Calcium and Magnesium are two of the most important minerals in the body as they are used daily from the cells to your bones. Just one percent of Calcium is stored in your blood for controlling your heartbeat and blood pressure.  The other ninety-nine percent is held within your bones and teeth. Calcium also helps with the actions of enzymes and to help fluid flow throughout the cell membranes. Adequate amounts of calcium can help to reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancer.  Calcium also helps your nerves.

Magnesium is an important mineral co-factor needed to allow the body to utilize calcium. It is used for carbohydrate metabolism and elimination. Magnesium is vital for rejuvenating the nerves and muscles. People who have diabetes, chronic malabsorption or who take diuretics may also need extra magnesium.  A lack of magnesium can add to irritability.

Now you can understand why it is essential in today’s world to add a full spectrum of all the vitamins and all the minerals to our daily diet with an abundance of calcium and magnesium. While you still want to eat vegetables and fruits, supplementing assists in laying a solid foundation for energetic health.

To learn more about fulvic minerals or to view our supplement line of products: Vital Earth Minerals

You can also share with us your reasons for taking vitamin and mineral supplements at  Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus.

By Kathleen Threet, Staff Writer at Vital Earth Minerals

 

Eat Every Color to Manifest Your Zeal

Over this past weekend, I had a chance to visit my uncle who continues to amaze me with his high energy levels.  He showed me pictures of him scaling 14,000 foot peaks here in Colorado and glaciers in the Alps.  When I asked him what some of the secrets to his vitality are as he nears 70, he told me that he is very conscious of what he eats every day.  He reminded me that it is easier to make the effort to eat better when it gives him the endurance to do the things he loves rather than to worry about the health issues that a poor diet can cause.

Our recommended daily level of vegetables and fruits are 9-11 per day, but not many people actually achieve that. Aim to have over 75 percent of a plate each meal filled with colorful fruits and vegetables.  Eating foods raw or lightly cooked can help to ensure nutrients are preserved in salads, smoothies, hummus or pates.

It takes a team to build something robust. Enlist the help of three or more different colored crews of fruits and vegetables. By remembering to eat the full rainbow spectrum you can renew your commitment to wellness.

Red Crew – Contain lycopene which helps decrease the risk of cancer and anthocyanins that are strong antioxidants.  Foods included in this group are beets, cherries, apples, tomatoes, rhubarb, cranberries, strawberries, radishes, watermelon, papaya, raspberries and pomegranate.

Orange Crew – Contain beta-carotene which may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.  Good choices are carrots, squash, peaches, oranges, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, grapefruit and yams.

Yellow Crew – Contain Vitamin C which works as an antioxidant and co-factor for enzymatic reactions that help the body to heal. Easy picks here include lemons, corn, pears, apricots, grapefruit, cantaloupe, rutabagas, pineapple and squash.

Green Crew – Contain  lutein which helps eye health and lowers the risk of cataracts.  They also contain Folate which is needed to repair DNA and produce healthy blood cells. Many choices for your greens lie in broccoli, cucumbers, olives, asparagus, kale, green peas, spinach, chard, limes, zucchini, celery, avocados, kiwi fruit and brussel sprouts.

Blue and Purple Crew – Contain  anthocyanins which are effective flavanoid antioxidants.  Blueberries, plums, beets, mulberries, cabbage, figs, elderberries, prunes, grapes and blackberries are all foods that you can use.

White  Crew – Contain the nutrient Allicin which has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and anthoxanthin – a flavanoid.  Foods like garlic, onions, pears, coconut, cauliflower, shallots, parsnips, mushrooms, horseradish, turnips, potatoes and white beans are great choices.

By choosing nutrient dense foods, you can find ways to energize your body that avoids processed ingredients that contribute to inflammation and illness over time. Exercising increases the body’s need for nutrients. Cravings of healthy foods are the body’s way of trying to fill the need for specific items needed for nourishment.

My uncle makes sure that he also eats plenty of whole grains like oats, rice, barley, quinoa along with beans and lentils to give the body the fiber that it needs.  Fiber can help to diminish cravings, maintain a feeling of fullness, and keep your digestion optimal. An easier way to maintain a healthy weight is to concentrate on eating foods with higher nutrients and fiber. Avoiding trans-fats, sugars, and anything processed/refined to ease insulin resistance that contributes to poor health.

I know that I will think before I eat with the hope that I can be filled with the same passion for life as my uncle.

To learn more about ways to eat healthier or to view our products: Vital Earth Minerals

You can also share with us your tips for high energy living at  Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus.

By Kathleen Threet, Staff Writer at Vital Earth Minerals

 

Laugh At Stress To Sustain Your Thyroid

The thyroid is a gland that is located in the neck that is in charge of regulating our metabolism. Thyroid works to turn proteins, carbohydrates and sugars into energy within each cell.

When thyroid levels are too high (hyperthyroidism) the heart can race, quick weight loss and bulging eyes are clues.  Thyroid levels that are too low (hypothyroidism) can result in fatigue, weight gain and sensitivity to cold.

Some basic warning signs that you may have a thyroid problem developing are:

• Sudden weight gain or weight loss
• Mood swings including depression and anxiety
• Hair, skin or nail changes such as dry hair and skin or ridged, brittle nails
• Menstrual problems for women
• High cholesterol levels
• Swelling or discomfort in the neck
• Increased feelings of fatigue or insomnia
• Intestinal problems such as bloating and constipation
• Low body temperature

In our society where communication can be clocked in seconds, it is too easy for our mind and body to suffer from the effects of stress.  One massive worry can cause an increased heart rate, abdominal discomfort and difficulty in concentrating.  This worry compounded daily and weekly turns into headaches, chronic insomnia or substance abuse. Over time, the adrenal glands continue to produce higher and higher levels of cortisol that creates a bigger burden on us physically, mentally and emotionally.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone instrumental in converting the thyroid hormone in the body.  Too much or too little cortisol can stop the activation of thyroid.  When adrenal glands are too depleted low thyroid can also result.  Cortisol in high doses actually breaks down the body’s tissues.  It can harm the portion of our brain, called the hippocampus that is involved in memory. Continual stress can also damage the ability of the liver to detoxify the body.

Some easy natural ways to relive stress are:

• Laugh – Tell a joke, read or watch something funny. Try to remember a time you laughed so hard your stomach hurt.
• Meditation and journaling -to clarify your thoughts and emotions.  Find ways to help you relax and slow down.
• Talk to a friend -or perhaps a counselor about things that are bothering you.
• Ask yourself this question about your stressful situation – Will this really matter in five years?
• Set good boundaries – be clear on what is within your power to control and within your circle of influence.
• Exercise – getting active for 30 minutes helps to balance the body. Yoga and deep breathing for even a couple of minutes can help to soothe you spirit and help you refocus on what is important.
• Make sure that you take care of your health. – Focus on fresh vegetables and fruits that are good sources of vitamins B, C, and E to counteract free radicals.  Eat plenty of protein as it provides the amino acid tyrosine that the thyroid is made from. Make sure that you are getting magnesium which acts as a natural muscle relaxer.
• Stay hydrated as dehydration can increase cortisol levels.
• Prepare to get quality sleep as sleep deprivation can affect your thyroid levels.

In addition to stress, it is smart to minimize excessive coffee and sugar that can over stimulate the thyroid and adrenal glands.  Avoid plastics and products containing BPA and phthalates as they have been proven to decrease thyroid levels.  Shun pesticides as they are similar in molecular structure to thyroid and can block its absorption.

To learn more about ways to help your thyroid or to view our products: Vital Earth Minerals

You can also share with us your tips for improving thyroid levels and your favorite ways to relieve stress at  Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus.

By Kathleen Threet, Staff Writer at Vital Earth Minerals

 

Powerful Bones Are Needed For Peak Longevity

No one ever thinks that to reach middle age or older, your body has been making moment to moment decisions inside of each cell of your skeleton.  Each bone is a combination of protein bound to crystals of mineral.  While a bone appears solid, it is actually cell structure that brilliantly forms new bone and also removes old bone throughout life. These processes, called modeling and remodeling, occur so that every ten years or so our entire skeleton is replaced.

The skeleton is a warehouse for phosphorous and calcium that are used in body organs, blood levels, muscle and nerve tissues.  If there is insufficient calcium or phosphorous then governing hormones remove them out of the bone fiber to serve other parts of the body. Our bones are hollow by design to allow our bodies to absorb an impact without breaking while also being the strong framework for our muscles.

As we age, our bodies slow down the process of making bone because we stop needing to grow taller.  At age 30 is approximately when this happens.  This combined with poor diet, lack of exercise, changing hormone levels, and being indoors or in cars all of time can make our bones so much more fragile.  The good news is that things like hip fractures, poor posture, weak teeth, or delicate bones are all preventable.  A few lifestyle changes one day and one bite at a time can create an immense difference in your quality and length of life.

Here are a few tips to strengthen your bones:

• Get active and work at it every day. Standing and sitting do not create bone mass. Try walking, swimming or dancing.  Use stretch bands, push ups or free weights to improve muscle mass. Resistance training actually aids us in creating new bone. Yoga, balance training and Tai Chi can all work too.  Aim for a minimum of ten minutes a day – three times a day.  Whatever you do – please do not stop! Once you stop exercising, the body then returns to the same bone mass level as when you started.
• Make sure that you are getting enough Vitamin D, as it is needed for calcium to be absorbed effectively.  You can get it in foods like sardines, herring, tuna, mackerel, liver, cheese and eggs.  By sitting in the sun for just 20 minutes a day, your body will naturally make Vitamin D. Our need for this vitamin increases as we age from 200 IU till age 50 to 400 IU till age 70 and then 600 IU over 70.  One cup of milk or fortified orange juice has 100 IU of Vitamin D.
• Avoid soft drinks, too much coffee or caffeine, too much salt, smoking and too much meat in your diet.  Each of these factors can block you from absorbing calcium. Alcohol actually robs you of calcium.
• Eat foods that are high in calcium. Try a variety from turnip greens, kale, broccoli or cabbage.  Dairy products like milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, or cheddar cheese can help.  Sardines, salmon, tofu and pinto beans are also good food sources of calcium.

Making sure that you have the calcium you need, so your bones aren’t stripped of it may not always be done by diet alone.  The personal experience of loosing bone mass through extreme hyperthyroidism brought one of our founders, Jody, to help create our liquid calcium formula. To learn more about our liquid or capsule calcium or to view our liquid minerals visit: Vital Earth Minerals

You can also share with us your tips for great bone building exercises or recipes at Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus.

By Kathleen Threet, Staff Writer at Vital Earth Minerals

 

Ways to Help Your Digestive System Thrive

 

Your digestive tract includes a complex conduit over 30 feet long that holds some of the simplest keys to good health.  It delivers every nutrient, vitamin and mineral needed to nourish and sustain us. When you absorb the best of what you eat: your entire body benefits.

By using some of the following tips, you can help your digestive system to thrive.

• Be conscious and choose foods that are fresh, good quality and when you can- organic.  Blend cooked vegetables and raw foods into your diet as raw foods contain enzymes which help with digestion.  Also pick foods that are rich in fiber.
• Relax and slow down while eating.  By taking a moment to breathe and feel grateful while you enjoy the smells and flavors of food, you are priming your body for better digestion. Your colon is guided by your autonomic nervous system which is interconnected with your emotions. This explains why many people cannot eat when they are upset or angry. When a person is upset, the fight or flight response kicks in and can actually shut down digestion until the perceived threat has passed.
•  In the mouth breaking down carbohydrates (sugars and starches) is the very first step. It helps to chew your food very well to a liquid state if possible.  This gives the digestive enzymes in saliva a chance to start working.  It also frees up energy for the stomach and intestines to do their tasks.
• Be aware of how long it takes foods to digest.  Proteins, like fish, meat, chicken, milk, eggs have an average digestion time of 4 hours.  Starches, such as grains, sweet potatoes, cooked grains and beans digest on average in 3 hours.  Vegetables, including leafy greens, broccoli and cauliflower digest in approximately 2 ½ hours.  Fruits, like apples, bananas, berries and pears digest in about 2 hours.  Melons like cantaloupe digest quickly in around 15-30 minutes.  This is why some people try food combining only certain foods to make sure everything they eat is optimally assimilated.
• Make sure that you stay hydrated with fresh pure water throughout the day.  Coffee, sodas and colas can dehydrate your body. Use caution when drinking too much fluid with your meals as it can dilute the enzymes and stomach acids used to disintegrate food.
• Try foods that are proven to be wonderful for digestion.  Pineapple contains bromelain which assists in digesting proteins.  Olive oil helps to make other fats easier to digest.  Apples contain fiber called pectin that moves the bowels.  Papayas have high levels of papain, a digestive enzyme, along with fiber and antioxidants.    Don’t forget herbs and spices like garlic, cayenne and parsley – to stimulate digestion or basil, rosemary or peppermint to soothe a sour stomach. Fermented foods like miso, pickles and sauerkraut along with those with natural probiotics like yogurt and kefir can also ease digestion.

The quicker you absorb vital nutrients in your body the quicker they are available to create the energy to work, heal, and play.  This is one of the main reasons why we choose and developed liquids for our line of products. To learn more about our liquid formulas visit: Vital Earth Minerals

You can also share with us your love of good health at Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus.

By Kathleen Threet, Staff Writer at Vital Earth Minerals

 

Humic or Fulvic: Which mineral is the right one for you?

 

Picture an ancient rainforest teeming with plants, nuts, berries, tropical flowers and surrounded by freshwater streams.  These lush plants were broken down over time and were then encapsulated by volcanic material and kept pure.  This is the beginning material for our organic whole food based Humic minerals.  This Humic material is the source from which Fulvic minerals are extracted.

The simple difference is that Fulvic works inside the cells or within each of the cell walls.  Humic primarily works outside the cells on the organs and body systems such as the immune and digestive systems.

Let’s start with Humic minerals. Humic has the higher concentration of essential trace minerals and amino acids.  It removes toxins in the stomach, allowing the immune system to function at its best. It stops viruses from binding with cells in the body.  It lessens inflammation naturally in the body. Humic actually helps to correct cellular mutations which can stop cells from becoming malignant.

Fulvic works within each cell.  It brings minerals and nutrients from your food into the cell and on its way out it flushes toxins and waste materials out. Fulvic works to boost the electrical energy inside the cells as a natural electrolyte. Fulvic minerals also improve the enzyme production and reaction inside of each cell.

As the soils that our food is grown in are increasingly depleted of minerals, it is a good idea to make sure that you are supplementing your diet with the best minerals available.

We make a difference by making sure that our processing methods are gentle and natural. We never use harsh chemicals or heat to process our minerals.  To learn more about how minerals can help visit: Vital Earth Minerals

You can also share with us your love of good health at Google Plus, Facebook  or Twitter.

 

Super Charge Your Immune System

Wintertime can leave you feeling cold, stressed or worn down.  One of the best ways to beat this is by taking Humic and Fulvic extracts as a part of your daily health routine.

Humic and Fulvic are organic plant based minerals that help to purify and energize the body.  The strength of Humic and Fulvic lies in their ability to supercharge cellular activity.  They spread throughout the system, boosting immune function, oxygenating, chelating and removing toxins.  They also assist in banishing free radicals and balancing hormones.

When Humic and Fulvic are present in the body, nutrients (from both food and dietary supplements) are dissolved into the simplest ionic form, ready to be utilized by the body.  Imagine a substance that seeks out and attached itself to nutrients within the body, and then processes those nutrients in a way so the body receives the maximum benefit.

Humic and Fulvic minerals essentially prepare nutrients to inter-react with each other. Those synergistic relationships are what fuel cellular energy.  Better cellular energy translates into better physical energy and stamina, improved mental clarity and concentration, sounder sleep, resistance to colds and flu, reduced body acidity and boosted immune system function.   Humic/Fulvic is a powerful aid in controlling body acidity because it neutralizes acid in body fluids.  The more PH balanced your body is the stronger your immune system is. To read more about the raw strength of  these minerals visit: Vital Earth Minerals

To learn more about Fulvic and Humic Minerals and better ways to stay healthy  join us on Twitter, FaceBook and Google Plus.

By Kathleen Threet, Staff Writer at Vital Earth Minerals