Monthly Archives: November 2011

How Hydro-Fracking Can Impact You and Your Area

November 29, 2011 – 11:59 am

Unconventional Hydrofracking is proposed for New York State. This is a new type of hydrofracking which uses millions of gallons of water and over 600 different types of chemicals for each well. The new process includes horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. It is referred to as High-Volume Slick-Water Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing.

 While vertical drilling has been done in NY for over 100 years, not one horizontal well has been drilled. Horizontal hydraulic fracturing was developed in the late 1990s. “Hydro-fracking” requires highpressure injection of water, sand, and chemical additives into shale, separating rock fissures and allowing gas to flow out of the drill bore. The horizontal hydraulic fracturing technique involves drilling vertically and then horizontally a mile or more and uses much more fluid than vertical methods. Instead of 20,000 to 80,000 gallons of fluid, 3 to 9 million gallons of fluid are used per well and one well may be “fracked” multiple times. Horizontal fracking has been used throughout the country, yet there has been no definitive study of the hazardous impacts on water, the environment, health, and communities despite hundreds of instances of contaminated wells and health problems as well as negative environmental impacts.

There are many adverse impacts of High Volume Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing (HVHF). These include: more chemicals, more toxic waste requiring disposal, 24/7 truck traffic, more fresh water used from streams, rivers, lakes. One well uses 5.6 million gallons of fresh water!, more drill cuttings (solids removed from the bore hole which can be toxic) requiring disposal, larger disturbed areas (our lakes, wine country and organic farms will be impacted), unclear local economic impact, impact on towns, and accidents…they do happen. 70% of the jobs are given to out-of-state people. Syracuse and New York City have much to lose because drilling is proposed in their watersheds.  Much of the gas will be liquified and sent overseas!!!

Governor Cuomo, who received over $100,000 in campaign donations from gas companies, is very much for this new Hydro-Fracting. Our state legislatures have received over $430,000 in campaign donations from gas companies. Did you know that Oil and Gas companies are exempt from the Safe Drinking Water Act? This was enacted in 2005. Who was our vice-president? Dick Cheney. Halliburton is very involved in the hydro-fracking business.

The public has till December 12th to let our government officials know how we feel about this proposal. I ask you to be a concerned citizen. Educate yourself and email or write to your government officials.

Youtube has tutorials: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr5Gq-S9Y9U

Internet Resources: To help with submitting comment to the DEC: TinyURL.com/2011 SGEISFlaws

Also:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/75370.html

http://newyork.sierraclub.org/

http://cleanwaternotdirtydrilling.org/

http://tcgasmap.org/

http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/

http://www.nyrad.org/

http://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/

http://shaleshock.org/

http://www.r-cause.neU (Rochester-based)

Oct. 8, 2011 Sierra Club (Rochester Regional Club)

 

Emails and addresses to Gov’t. Officials are:

Governor Cuomo

Email: http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php

Address: The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Senator Shumer:

Email: https://schumer.senate.gov/Contact/contact_chuck.cfm

Address: Rochester Office

100 State Street, Room 3040
Rochester, NY 14614
Phone: 585-263-5866
Fax: 585-263-3173

Senator Gilabrand:

Email: http://gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/

Address: Rochester Office
Kenneth B. Keating Federal Office Building
100 State Street
Room 4195
Rochester, NY 14614
Tel. (585) 263-6250
Fax (585) 263-6247

It is so important that you contact these officials so they know that you expect them to safe guard the air you breathe, the water you drink and the beautiful lands in our state. If enough of us let them know that we want strict regulations or no hydro-fracking, we can influence their decisions.

Remember that the deadline is DEC. 12th

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Ways to Keep the Calories Down On Thanksgiving

November 23, 2011 – 9:59 am

A few simple ways to keep the calories down when celebrating Thanksgiving or any other family celebration are:

1. Eat in moderation and space out your eating. Keep the desserts for at least an hour after the meal.

2. Drink a glass of water before you sit down to eat a meal.

3. Have deep, bright colors on the menu. Raw vegetables for an appetizer are a great way to start the festivities.

4. Keep dishes simple, especially the vegetables. You don’t want to over cook them or add too many extras that add the calories.

5. Potatoes are high in starch to begin with so try not to add sour cream or over load on milk or butter. Skip the gravy or use just enough to get the taste.

These are great ways to enjoy the Holidays but keep those calories down. For more details and ideas go to  http://health.msn.com/health-topics/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100281998&imageindex=1

 

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Boosting Our Immune System

November 8, 2011 – 5:56 pm

The changing of the seasons brings changes in our activities and can make us more susceptible to illness, especially in the Fall and Winter.  Now is the time to focus on what keeps our immune system strong.

Ways to maintain a strong immune system are:

1. Eat nutritious foods –Organic and fresh when possible

Nutrients that help build a healthy Immune System are:

  • Omega 3’s found in scale fish
  • Mono-saturated fats which are found in olive oil and coconut oil,
  • Zinc – meats(grass-fed) with protein such as calf’s liver, beef and lamb
  • Phytonutrients– Are certain compounds that help plants and humans defend against infectious organisms and other invaders. They are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Two important ones are:
    • Vitamin C – found in leafy and brightly colored greens, citrus fruits, especially oranges and grapefruits, berries, cantelope, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and broccoli
    • Vitamin E – a handful of nuts or seeds each day

Spices – put into soups, stews and sauces

Garlic and Onions – especially to avoid colds

Yogurt – ¾ cup a day to stop virus production

2. Drink plenty of water – Dehydration lowers your defenses.

8- 8oz. of water and other fluids (try coconut water

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/branded/2011/11/coconut_water_why_is_it_suddenly_so_popular_.html  )

3. Avoid sugar laden foods – As little as 2 sodas a day can lower your immune system by 40%. There are 10 teaspoons in one 12 oz. can of soda. Diet soda still has the fructose in the artificial sweetener which stresses your liver.

4. Avoid bad fat – trans-fat, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, fried food, processed meat

5. Exercise – 30 to 60 minutes at least 3 days a week.

6. Sleep!! Get at least 8 hrs. of sleep each day

Read more about building your immune system from Nutritionist Joy Bauer at:

http://www.lifescript.com/food/healthy_eating_guides/immunity_anti-aging/articles/7_foods_that_fight_back_immune_system_boosters.aspx

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