Composting in the Winter

This is an addition to a series of vlogs that EcoDeaf members did on composting (see Composting tab for others), showing that this easy and fun hobby has numerous benefits: it is good for the earth and to our gardens which bear fruits for us to eat. In this post, Summer explains the process of composting- starting with her kitchen, bringing to compost tumbler, then ending up with a rich "compost" pile. She explains how composting is still do-able during winter months. We hope this vlog will help other EcoDeaf members will join us and start getting ready for the upcoming gardening season.

Celebrating the Holidays without hurting Mother Earth

This holiday season has been the hardest time of the year for me to make environmentally conscious decisions on how to celebrate the traditional way without taking a toll on Mother Earth.

Beside the fact that many people are using their cars to attend Christmas parties, family gatherings, winter vacation, the most harmful action towards our planet during this season: Christmas shopping. And some statistics about Christmas packaging... Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period than any other time of year.

But I digress a bit here... and focus on the green holiday symbol: the Christmas tree.

Christmas tree decorating is one of my most favorite things to do during the holidays, but this year, it was an challenge. After feeling guilty about discarding my artificial Christmas tree I bought a year ago from Target (there was not enough room in the moving truck), I did not have a Christmas tree last year.
But with a new home, I didn't want to go another year without a tree.
Should I buy another plastic one that I can use for (hopefully more than) 10+ years or should I buy a cut-down tree that would be recycled after the garbage truck picks it up off my curb? An wonderful eco-friend suggested neither. "Why not buy a real live tree in a pot and then plant in your backyard? Home Depot carries those kind of trees nowadays" she said.

So I went to Home Depot. I saw the $45 dollar artificial pre-lit trees, the $25 dollar fresh cut trees, or the $19.99 baby Leyland cypress tree that "sort-of -looked-like-a-Charlie-Brown-Christmas-tree-in-a-pot" tree.
After 30 minutes of debating, I decided to get the Christmas tree that would tread less on the environment during the holidays... so, it was the Charlie Brown tree. As I drove home, I looked at it in the rear view mirror and found myself already starting to feel intimate with this 3-feet tall plant in my backseat. It was not going to end up in some dusty attic or be shredded, recycled, and replanted, instead...it would find a home in my new garden. Another bonus: I can always decorate it anytime of the year.

Speaking of decorations... last weekend, I was invited to an ornament-making party. It was lovely to see everyone come together to share hand-made ornaments that they created. Many made theirs from the ornament making kits sold in Hobby Lobby or Michaels, or bought from a crafts fair... I decided not to purchase anything from the art store. Instead, I went to my art box and created a star-wreath out of old discarded business/credit/gift/debit cards. Decorated the middle with old hearing-aid batteries and hung it using the elastic strings that most clothes tags come in.
To my luck, I won the best Ornament prize that night for my recycled ornament. Hopefully more and more people will realize that recycled stuff does look awesome on your trees.



So, I've shared with you all my "eco-adventures". Have you done any? If so, please do share!

For those who are just learning to be eco... I decided to add some simple n' green holiday tips:

1. Only buy what you need. 2. Seek out handmade gift options and opt for “like new” items. 3. Carry reusable shopping bags (and use them). 4. Bundle your trips into fewer outings. 5. Resist the urge to “shop around”, instead...shop online. 6. Buy local.

Facts on Food Labeling~

Some parts below pasted from Bonnie Bucqueroux's Sustainable blog

GMO, as you probably know, refers to Genetically Modified Organisms, known in Europe as Frankenfoods because of fears that mad scientists may be unwittingly or uncaringly unleashing true monsters upon us.

Concerning food labeling, the issue is whether you can tell how the fruits and veggies for sale at the local grocery store were raised by deciphering the codes, and the answer is a resounding maybe. Here is the key as certified by the International Federation for Food Standards (note that the wording is mine, not theirs):

Four-digit code - A conventionally grown crop. Conventional could mean that the foodstuff has been repeatedly doused with one poison or another -- or not. But at least its genes should not have been artificially altered (though one wonders how many food execs are doing hard time in stir for violating the rules).

Five-digit code starting with the number 9 - Organically grown in compliance with the USDA standards.

Five-digit code starting with the number 8 - GMO foods. (Why didn't they just use 666?)

• Restricted FOR use on products grown in North America, East only (meaning these are codes that were originally assigned as East and were used on specific products grown East of the Mississippi in the United States and East of the Ontario/Manitoba border in Canada. These codes only apply in North America and should continue to be used for those specific products):
4318 – Melon, Cantaloupe/Muskmelon, Small
4319 – Melon, Cantaloupe/Muskmelon, Large

• Restricted FROM use on products grown in North America (meaning these are codes that were originally assigned for a specific region outside of North America and, although are now considered Global, are, for various reasons, impossible to incorporate in the North American market. The recommendation is to only use these codes for items grown and/ or sold outside of North America):
3425 – Tangerines/Mandarins, Ellendale, Small
3426 – Tangerines/Mandarins, Ellendale, Medium
3427 – Tangerines/Mandarins, Ellendale, Large

But before you think you can rely on the fact that foods without the dreaded "8" are not Frankenfoods, you should know that the labeling system in the United States is voluntary. And that means growers who want you to know they are doing good things - basically, the organic folks - are probably quick to slap a "9" on that rutabaga you are scrutinizing.

But I suspect only a truly dumb Frankenfood producer would be likely to warn you off with an "8" on that great-looking tomato. (The logic seems impeccable: "What they don't know might hurt them someday, but telling them would hurt our sales today.")

How to Fight Fire with Fire

by Eric Kaika

David and Goliath happened in the biblical era. To say that it could easily happen today, drop me line, I have a invisible money-making machine I want to sell you.

Wars are won by who has the most money, machines, technology and power. So when you go up against conglomerates and try to bring them down, you need to fight them on their level to be successful.

I care about our environment and the food I put in my body. I recycle and reuse, I pick up litter, I give smokers the evil eye (cigarette butts are the highest form of litter). I try to do my part in making this world a better place.

There's nothing that pisses me off faster than companies with total disregard for this planet, its animals and plants (sorry humans, you're not on the list). I have ill will towards companies like ConAgra, DuPont, Microsoft, Electric companies, etc.

Unfortunately no one man can go up against these companies and coerce them into dropping their bad habits and becoming a greener company. These companies care about only 1 kind of green, the US Mint.

The question remains: how can consumers, who are often struggling to make ends meet yet deeply care about the environment have such a tremendous impact on these corporate polluters and make them change their ways? My thinking: Wal-Mart.

When Wal-Mart places an order... its huge. Huge enough to make a small company become an overnight sensation. And for those big corporate bullies? Well, all Wal-Mart needs to tell them is: "Hey, our consumers want greener products that are healthy to the environment and free from animal cruelty." You can believe that those companies will heed to the request of Wal-Mart.

Consumers are the most powerful entity. We have pocked lined with cash that we want to spend, and we go to Wal-Mart to spend our money. That's why Wal-Mart is the largest retailer on this planet. Because they want us to continue to spend our money at their stores, they sell affordable products we want. It's not surprising that because so many Americans are now shifting towards organic foods, you can now find numerous of organic products at Wal-Mart.

I'm not saying we should all disband Whole Foods and other grocery chains, but if you want to take a bite out of corporate America, you need to fight them on their ground with the same amount of money and power, which is... Wal-Mart.

As for its "destruction" towards the environment, I haven't been able to find Wal-Mart on any list that states they are destructive to our green earth. Of course I haven't seen one on McDonald's either, but I know they are a huge contributor to unsanitary practices of our food industry. Why does anyone eat at McDonald's, I don't know... lack of values & principles perhaps.


reprinted with permission from Eric Kaika - Thanks Eric!

In Honor of SuperBowl: Surprising Stats!

From TreeHugger - Click here to go to the full article...

HOW MUCH FOOD WILL BE CONSUMED?

8 million: Total pounds of popcorn consumed on Super Bowl Sunday.

28 million: Pounds of potato chips consumed.

53.5 million: Pounds of avocados consumed.

222,792: Number of football fields worth of farmland to grow all that
corn, potatoes, and avocados.

11.8: Depth, in feet, of guacamole consumed if it were spread across the football field.

293,000: Number of miles of potato chips, laid end to end, consumed during the game.

1 billion: Number of chicken wings consumed on Super Bowl Sunday.

325.5 million: Gallons of beer drank by Americans that day.

493: Number of Olympic-sized swimming pools that could be filled with all that beer.

20%: Increase in ant-acid sales the Monday after the game.

7 million: Number of employees who will not show up to work Monday.

Are you going to work tomorrow? I am :)

From TreeHugger - Click here to go to the full article...

GROWH- A eco-lifestyle coaching firm run by a Deaf woman

http://growh.com/

While checking out Kiss-Fist, an online magazine for the signing community, I came across an article about Shanada Schwartz, a Deaf woman who has set up her own lifestyle coaching firm called "Grow Holistically". I watched her video...

This is the first and only one of its kind to provide consultations in American Sign Language via videophone. Aside from this unique feature, they can also connect you through other methods to provide continuous support as you learn about the nature of your well-being, improve your health, and grow holistically.
She grew up on "Living Food Farm", which is a organic food business operated by a Deaf family in Minnesota.

On her website, Shanada answers the question:

What is the holistic approach to health all about?
And expands on the 5 Holistic Areas:

Nutrition
Fitness
Relationship
Spiritual
Green Living
An example of her eco-advice: Green Living embraces the goodness and healthfulness of natural things and products. Doing so will help you avoid harmful chemicals and toxins that many people use for their hygiene, cleaning supplies, clothes, toys, and food. While it is impossible to avoid all toxic and chemical things, the greener your life is, the better! We offer a wealth of easy and affordable ideas for improving the quality and safety of everything you need to live with!

For some eco-consultation, contact Shanada.

Great Way to Start off the Year, Washington DC!

D.C. First to Impose Fee to Use Disposable Plastic, Paper Bags

Washington, D.C. Consumers Forced to Go Green or Pay 5 Cents Per Bag

By DEVIN DWYER
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2010

A man leaves with a bag of groceries in a plastic bag made of recyclable material at the Nature Shop on this file photo in San Francisco, California. Starting today, the District of Columbia becomes the first in the nation to impose a surcharge on disposable paper and plastic bags commonly used at grocery and retail stores everywhere.

(David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

Residents and visitors to the nation's capital are about to find new meaning in what it means to "go green." Customers who tote their food or liquor purchases home in the ubiquitous bags will now be required to pay 5 cents for each one they use. The fees will go to a fund for cleaning up the city's Anacostia River. Starting today, the District of Columbia becomes the first major city in the nation to impose a surcharge on disposable paper and plastic bags commonly used at grocery and retail stores everywhere.

"I signed this law in July to cut down on the disposable bags that foul our waterways," D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty said last month. "We want everyone to know that you can save the river, and 5 cents, if you bring your own reusable bag to the store instead."

Many retailers are expected to offer a credit to customers who bring their own bags. Grocer Whole Foods, for example, already gives shoppers a nickel for each bag they bring in and has discontinued use of plastic bags.

While the District's bag tax law is the first of its kind, other states and municipalities have imposed outright bans on plastic bags or mandated that retailers collect them for recycling.

San Francisco, Calif., became the first U.S. city to impose an outright ban on plastic bags in 2007, and Oakland and Malibu soon followed suit. In June 2009, the North Carolina legislature banned their use in the Outer Banks.

China banned plastic bags in January 2008 and Bangladesh has outlawed them since 2002, which might come as a surprise, given that neither country is known for its progressive environmental policies.

FOR THE REST OF THE ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

Deaf Breastfeeding Symbol Found in Various Places

Earlier, there was a post on EcoDeaf about Breast is Best, which shared that Matt Daigle, a Deaf man, designed the now international symbol for breastfeeding.

I read that post, and then the very next day, I went to a DC coffeeshop on H street Northeast, and saw a thick stack of postcards with Daigle's Breastfeeding symbol and some information about DC laws related to breast feeding! Here are the photos:

Where else have you seen Daigle's symbol?

Becoming an eco-conscious ASL Teacher

One of the best things about ASL in the academic environment is that it requires less paper. Becoming an ASL teacher has helped me realize how eco-friendly this type of class can become...

By using ASL in the classroom...

-We reduce the use of paper and ink...
-We reduce noise pollution...
-We bring a sense of community with our ASL stories...
-And... we can use the language to bring knowledge about ecosystem and ecological conservatism to our future generations. Earlier this year, for example, the Gallaudet National Essay, Art, and ASL contest theme was "Going Green: What I'm Doing to Help Save the Environment" and deaf students from all over the nation participated in the ASL contest, signing their eco-messages.

Since becoming an ASL teacher, I've discovered that it is pretty easy to modify the classroom and teaching environment into a eco-one. Here are some examples of what I've done:

Instead of copying papers or printing text to give to students, I have them read their instructions on the projector screen and answer in ASL.
Instead of giving paper quizzes, I have them sign the answers (which I think makes them think constructively and remember more) on VoiceThread, a web-based interactive classroom where students comments are recorded into video through their iSight/webcam on their Macbook.
Most of the classroom decorations were gathered from other classroom's discarded pile of last year's decorations. My hallway passes are laminated so students use it over and over.
And the paper ones I must use, I reuse as scrap paper.
If I must print, I figure out how to double-side print things.
And, I try to bike to work everyday... being an eco-conscious and health-conscious role model for the students and staff. Many of my students have told me they thought it was "super cool" that I biked to work, which boosted my eco-ego. I love how eco-supportive our young generation is.



But... We also live in a world that's becoming more and more dominated by technology- I cringe just thinking about the amount of energy that my projector use to operate. The lights that we use in the classroom. The TV we use to watch ASL videos. The student's laptops. But I remind myself that these laptops are made by the eco-conscious Apple, and can be recycled into new ones. Can't always win with everything, but at least I try to use less energy.

And, the coolest thing?
A teacher found my email address through the EcoDeaf bio/profiles and encouraged me to apply for this job-- had EcoDeaf not existed, I would probably not have been so lucky to get a job like this one. Not only has EcoDeaf served as an information center for the ASL community, it brings people of similiar interests many opportunities!
Thank you, EcoDeaf!

Are Cruises Eco-Friendly?

I try to be as eco-conscious about my decisions as much as possible.... when offered to go on a 9-day cruise in the Caribbean, I hesitantly accepted, wondering about the ramifications of that kind of travel on the environment.

We stayed on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas boat. The huge boat is 9 years old, weights 137 tons, is 1,000 feet long, and 137 feet wide. It holds 3,840 guests, and 1,214 workers. The boat cruises at an average of 25 mph. The boat sails constantly with new groups of guests constantly, all year long. Imagine a moving city/hotel that holds 5,000 people every week of the year = 270,000 people x 9 years = 2,430,000 million people.

Boy, was I pleasantly surprised. I realize now that huge cruise ships must find ways to reduce their amount of trash because it saves them money, hence, making the cruise more eco-conscious for all of us, perhaps more than airlines and hotels.

My bed sheets were never taken out/washed the entire 9-day stay. My used towels, left on the racks, were simply re-folded and put back on the rack (I know because I put a tiny make-up smudge on one corner on purpose).

Here is a photo-journal of all the good eco-things (and some bad) about the cruise I went on.

The showerhead was low-flow, and the warmest setting for the shower was mildly warm. I couldn't increase it to a hot temperature (I love hot showers, so this was a nice way to detract me from taking hot showers!). I also know the ship can provide hot temperatures because in the spa, I used their shower, and it was hot! Wonder why.
This shampoo/conditioner dispenser was excellent, much better than the tiny bottles they put in your hotel room every day. I used this everyday.

Those signs were in every room, every bathroom and peppered on various locations on the ship.

I could control the temperature in my room. Of course we put it at the lowest possible setting, but the air conditioning in the cruise liner was too strong (yes I froze), and the cold air still seeped in our room regardless of that setting. I was told that people remedy this by opening their balcony window to let the outside air in (which is obviously just making the air conditioner run even more). I think this is probably the biggest pet peeve I have about cruises - their freezing temperatures!!!! Royal Caribbean, take note!
Their trash cans in the rooms are NOT lined with plastic bags.
The bathroom trash can, again, NOT lined with a plastic bag. Nice! When I had my period (yes I got it on the cruise, ugh), there were paper bags specifically for discarding pads and tampons that said "100% recyclable" and "biodegradable". Hmm. Too bad, I forgot to bring my Sea Sponges!!! So I bought tampons from the cruise shop - double UGH).

I didn't take a picture of my laundry bag (they washed my clothes) and returned it in a paper bag (not plastic). The original laundry bag was plastic, though....

All of their lights are LED bulbs that put out less heat and require significantly less energy.
Recycling bins can be found on each floor.
Unfortunately, their milk comes in paper cartons (better than plastic, regardless). I also was disappointed the condiments were all individual sized (ketchup, mustard, relish, syrup, butter, and so on). There should be bulk canisters for these things. Also, water is provided in dispensing tanks, so there were no plastic bottles anywhere. You could purchase them from the ship, but of course they were tad too expensive (thank goodness), and I didn't see anyone drinking from them or leaving them around.
All of the utensils, dishes and napkins were metal, plastic/ceramic or cloth. I only found one small section of the ship that provided paper napkins (and it was hard to find).

A small half-page article in a thick magazine by the Royal Caribbean cruise for the 2009-2010 year mentions their endeavors in being eco-conscious. They mention that all their windows have tinging materials that filter out almost all UV rays which saves air conditioning (if only they'd turn down their air conditioning setting!). Their dishwashers, laundry equipment, ice makers are all water-conserving and energy efficient. The newer ships all have better hull shapes and improved propeller systems which save energy and fuel.

What do you think? Do those little things cancel out the amount of carbon emissions the ship emits? I wish I took a photo of the gray-black billowing smoke from the top of the ship. Does the moving ship make a negative, irreparable impact on the ecosystems underneath?

(not a photo of a Royal Carribean ship, it's a photo I found on the internet)

I've read that it's better to cruise than to fly, because of the low MPH (the lower MPH you go, the more fuel you save over time) and I've never met a plane that could carry 5,000 passengers, board them, feed them, and take them to 4 islands over 9 days. What do you think?

p.s. This blogging style, "photo-journals" - I borrowed from Beth Terry, blogger at Fake Plastic Fish. I love her blog posts, check her out!

Creating Art and being Eco-Friendly

As I have integrated eco-living into my life, I have faced an interesting dilemma in how to be earth-friendly as I create art.

I recently created New Year's cards, something that I have never done before, and I felt inclined to do so because I was trying out a new art technique. Of course, I wanted to share these cards with friends and I opted to do it the old-fashioned way to revive the lost art of letter writing. I sent them out via snail mail.

To compensate for creating carbon footprints by having them copied and sent out, I had them copied on 100% recycled paper. I did not feel satisfied with how I was trying to offset my footprint, but they went out in the mail nevertheless. I hope when recipients were ready to discard their card (I'd be flattered if they wanted to keep them tacked to the fridge), it went into their recycle bin or is shredded and put in the compost bin.

I've questioned myself about how an artist can be "green" without sacrificing quality, or paying lots of money. I deal with that question as I work with oil paint, turpentine, and other art materials laced with ingredients impossible to spell.

Do I switch to art materials created with natural ingredients? What may be the best way to dispose of them or to switch over to natural ingredients without losing quality? Over the next couple of months, I will try to find out more about this and how I can feel content both with what I create, and how I dispose of waste products, and I will post what I find.

If any of you have insight on this - feel free to share!

Water Bottles: Water Disaster

Click the below link to view a PowerPoint about Water Bottles and how very dangerous they are for us as humans and for earth.

Water Bottles: Water Disaster

Many thanks for the tip from the Living Food Farm Health Talk newsletter, produced by a deaf family who owns an organic farm in Minnesota.

Humane Meats, Milk & Eggs

If "humane meats, milk & eggs" is new to you, basically humane foods means the animals were raised with freedom of movement, sunlight, grass and so on. The basic right of every human.

Most animals nowadays are put in cages where their feet grow fused with the metal cages on bottom of their cages, they never walk or run, see the sun and they're given many chemical shots to make them grow faster and fatter. They get their food through a hose that sprays on their face. Then when they need to be taken out to be killed for food, their legs are cut off from the cage (remember their feet grew into the cage platform). There are a lot more disgusting things about this scenario, such as how all the cages are piled on top of each other, so when one defecates or urinates, it goes all the way down on top of other animals. This is a horrible way to live and die.

How do we as powerful consumers put a stop to that? Buy meats, milk and eggs that say:

GOOD Start

“Cage free”

“Free range”

“Grass fed”

Even BETTER

“Free range”

“Pasture raised”

“USDA organic”

The BEST Options

“American Humane Certified”

“Animal Welfare Approved”

“Certified Humane”

To read more about humane foods or animal-friendly foods, click here.

Many thanks for the tip from the Living Food Farm Health Talk newsletter, produced by a deaf family who owns an organic farm in Minnesota.

Willia May Wille on Bananas

Willia May Wille refers to Tonya Zavasta's book "BEAUTIFUL ON RAW, unCOOKED CREATIONS" and discusses the benefits of bananas. She also shares a smoothie recipe at the end.

FRUIT FOR THIS MONTH: BANANAS

Tonya Zavasta wrote in her book: BEAUTIFUL ON RAW, unCOOKED CREATIONS about bananas.

Bananas probably originated in Malaysia some 4,000 years ago. The army of Alexander the Great found them in India as early as 327 B.C. Arabian traders took them to Africa, where the Portuguese discovered them in the 15th century. Bananas appeared in seacoast towns of the United States in the 19th century. Until refrigeration was available, they could not be transported inland.

Dr. Douglas N. Graham, author of Nutrition and Athletic Performance and a consultant to professional athletes, considers bananas to be one of the world's finest foods for providing energy. The carbohydrates in bananas are of both simple and complex forms. The complex carbohydrate yields its fuel slowly, thus providing a lasting energy source. He believes that "there is no fruit which will encourage the muscles to refuel themselves more rapidly than bananas." For athletes, his recommendation is ten to fifteen bananas per day. Dr. Graham is so enthusiastic about bananas that each time I re-read his book I start including more bananas in my diet; however, I never was able to eat more than two per day.

Bananas are rich in potassium, which aids in cardiovascular health and helps to promote bone health. Potassium may counteract the increased urinary calcium loss caused by the usually high salt content in the American diet. Slowing calcium loss can slow the rate that bones thin and weaken.

Bananas can replenish the body's stores of potassium, one of the most important electrolytes, which helps regulate heart function as well as fluid balance after a bout of diarrhea.

Bananas contains vitamin C, one of the strongest defenses against many forms of cancer, including lung, pancreatic, cervical, breast, bladder and stomach. They provide about two grams of cholesterol-reducing fiber. Bananas are nearly perfect. Try to buy organic in the health food stores and eat them only when there are covered with dark spots, an indication that they are fully ripe.

RECIPE with BANANAS:

SMOOTHIE: SCARY CHERRY from the book: HOW WE ALL WENT RAW by THE TOP RAW MEN, CHARLES NUNGESSER and STEPHEN MALACHI

In a blender, add:
2 bananas
1 cup apple juice
1 cup cherries, pitted
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 vanilla bean
Blend until smooth

connecting with global activists

written by EcoDeaf contributor, Shay Bertling


probably the most useful, convenient and powerful activism website I came across in my exploration of greener pastures is the action network (www.actionnetwork.org)

their mission statement:

“With over 800,000 members, Action Network is a gateway to online activism centers for over 170 leading environment, health and population advocacy organizations. Action Network ensures that the power to change our world is only as far away as your computer.

With just a click of the mouse, activists can make their voices heard. Action Network partners mobilize activists by e-mail, inviting you to weigh in when it counts by sending a personalized messages to key policymakers–locally, nationally or around the world. Simply reply to that email or click on the web site, personalizing a sample letter that is included. Action Network does the rest, sending handcrafted fax or e-mail messages to elected officials, corporate leaders and other important decision makers.”

So, if you want to reach out and actually do something, rather than only adjust your lifestyle to be friendlier, then this is the site that will either lead you to where you want to go or help you blaze your own green path towards a better future. It connects you with people in powerful positions and enables any individual to be heard, no matter their background, history, or even appearance. Explore the site, and you might be able to figure out whether you’re more of a grassroots activist, or an advocacy activist.

Stop Monsanto from Outlawing Organic Farming!

A bill to outlaw organic farming next week?

US House and Senate are about (in a week and a half) to vote on bill that will OUTLAW ORGANIC FARMING [ Bill - HR 875 ]. There is an enormous rush to get this into law within the next 2 weeks before people realize what is happening.

Main backer and lobbyist is (guess who) Monsanto (aspartame maker) - chemical and genetic engineering giant corporation. This bill will require organic farms to use specific fertilizers and poisonous insect sprays dictated by the newly formed agency to "make sure there is no danger to the public food supply". This will include backyard gardens that grow food only for a family and not for sales.

If this passes then NO more heirloom clean seeds but only Monsanto genetically altered seeds that are now showing up with unexpected diseases in humans.

The name on this outrageous food plan is:

“Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009” – [ Bill HR 875 ]

Take Action with the Grassroots Netroots to defeat Bill HR 875!
Start by typing in your zip code on the top right corner of the web page:
Click Here

Picture source

DEAF AYAHUASCA RETREAT: Summer 2009

Meghan Shannon shares an exciting opportunity to engage in ayahuasca shamanism in Peru this summer. Visit Infinite Light and read the description of the trip below to get more information!

DEAF AYAHUASCA RETREAT!

Spiritual Healing and Wisdom in a Village in the Sacred Amazon Jungles of Peru! June 28 - July 7, 2009

Welcome to the wild world of ayahuasca shamanism! This ancient plant medicine opens us up to be able to rapidly clear out dark, lower energies that normally hold us down, allowing us to transcend to higher levels of spiritual work. It re-balances the body, energetically and physically, realigning us with health and understanding. In time, psychic abilities increase, addictions are released, and we tap into a new level of joy and spiritual understanding we never thought possible!

The program is run by Meghan Shannon (professional interpreter from the DC area, Gallaudet Hearing Undergraduate Class of '03) and her partner, Eloy, a native peruvian shaman with over 25 years experience with this life-changing medicine.

Together, they bridge the Peruvian shamanic culture and Deaf Western world, allowing access to Light and Love at levels untouched by most on the physical plane.

Cost of Program: $1000

Includes: Five ceremonies, housing, food, transportation to and from the village, airport pickup, interpretation from ASL to English and Spanish, and optional Spiritual Life Coaching, Jungle Survival and Plant Identification training, Spanish tutoring, and Weight Release support.

Does not Include: Airfare to and from Iquitos, and hotel, food, etc before and after the program while in Iquitos

The retreat is open to all fluent signers (hearing too) but will most likely be mostly Deaf. There may be a couple of long-term hearing (non-signing) apprentices there, and we will have interpreters ready for full communication with them.

Visit www.infinitelightperu.com for more info! You can apply online there. Email me with any more questions at infinitelightperu@gmail.com, or to be added to the mailing list. You can also search for my facebook page with that address! Feel free to forward this to anyone who may be searching for it:)

Our YouTube video (CC, you may have to turn them on in the lower right-hand corner):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZi8fbWuKoI

Willia May Wille, with excerpts from Tonya Zavasta's book

Willia May Wille responds to Tonya Zavasta's book, "Quantum Eating: The Exilir of Youth," specifically the chapter on Oxygen. She uses this book to make connections between oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.

OXYGEN and HYDROGEN PEROXIDE:

In the book called QUANTUM EATING: THE ULTIMATE EXILIR OF YOUTH written by Tonya Zavasta, there is an excellent chapter about OXYGEN explaining the importance of deep breathing that boosts the immune system. We need oxygen to live. Many microorganisms are killed instantly if exposed to oxygen. Almost all bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, mycoplasmas and microbes are either anaerobic or at some point anaerobic. Oxygen can selectively attack diseased cells because these cells have damaged or non-existing antioxidant protection. By regulating your metabolism, breathing exercises will improve your health and help you achieve your ideal weight. You can actually lose weight simply by doing breathing exercises. Dr. Sheldon Hendler, MD, Medical Researcher Cell Oxygenation, Author of the Oxygen Breakthrough stated: "Oxygenation through deep breathing boosts the immune system and can rid the body of chronic illnesses. "

Another way to get more oxygen into your body is with HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. Hydrogen peroxide is found everywhere in nature because it falls to earth in the form of rainwater. After a good thunderstorm, you get out and it looks as though everything has grown an inch. Everything is alive, green and clean. What's happened? All the vegetation just received a high dose of nature's oxygen and peroxide that aids growth almost visibly. Rain is formed high up in the atmosphere, within an ozone-oxygen-rich atmosphere. The low concentration proxide formed up there then goes into our ground water. The roots of plants and trees reach down into our ground water and take up the peroxide. Nature continues this cycle by delivering the cleansing, oxygenating and peroxide to us.

Hydrogen peroxide is simply a water molecule with an active singlet oxygen. That makes it an oxidizer of microbes and toxins when the active singlet oxygen breaks off and turns back into water. Peroxide is a clear, colorless liquid. Its smell is not that detectable, but it does give off a faint bleach-like odor. Almost velvety to the touch, it quickly becomes an irritant when used undiluted. Every cell in your body is manufacturing its own peroxide constantly. Peroxide is necessary for our immune systems. Our body uses hydrogen peroxide to fight infection, parasites, bacteria, viruses and yeast.

One of my readers sent me a list of the many advantages of hydrogen peroxide, from an article by a doctor's wife:
"I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1 at any drug store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands of dollars." The article continues:

1. Fill the little white cap from the bottle and use it as a mouthwash. No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. (Tonya's note: If you have amalgam fillings you should not do this!)
2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of "Peroxide" to keep them free of germs.
3. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes every night and let dry.)
4. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to 10 minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
5. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
6. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue.
7. For natural-looking hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it is not a drastic change.

Tonya further wrote: "Bathing in a tub full of water and hydrogen peroxide is highly effective. The general rule for bathing in peroxide is one pint of 35-percent food-grade hydrogen peroxide into your bath. The heat in the bathtub water opens the pores in the skin and enables blood vessels below the skin to absorb the peroxide, cleansing them in the process. I love my hyrogen peroxide baths!"

Excerpts from "The Essene Gospel of Peace"

Willia May Wille responds to excerpts from "The Essene Gospel of Peace" by Edmond Bordeaux Szekely (Editor & Translator), making connections to the raw food lifestyle.

From a book called: THE ESSENE GOSPEL OF PEACE let us read:

"For no man can serve two masters. For either he serves Beelzebub (= Satan) and his devils or else he serves our Earthly Mother and her angels. Either he serves death or he serves life. I tell you truly, happy are those that do the laws of life and wander not upon the paths of death. For in them the forces of life wax strong and they escape the plaques of death."

Another paragraph from this same books states:

"But I say to you: Kill neither men, nor beasts, nor yet the food which goes into your mouth. For if you eat living food, the same will quicken you, but if you kill your food, the dead food will kill you also. For life comes only from life, and from death comes always death. For everything which kills your bodies kills your souls also. And your bodies become what your foods are, even as your spirits, likewise, become what your thoughts are. Therefore, eat not anything which fire, or frost, or water has destroyed.  For burned, frozen and rotted foods will burn, freeze and rot your body also. Be not like the foolish husbandman who sowed in his ground cooked and frozen, and rotten seeds."

May's Message:

I realize that it does not pay to serve two masters - either you serve God by feeding your body, mind and spirit with pure, living and raw food or you serve Satan by eating cooked food, meat or fish (killed animals or killed fish.)

The choice is yours to serve God or Satan and I will not stop you. However, if you really want peace in our life and on our Earth, the obvious way is to serve God and to stop killing yourself with meat, fish, dairy products and cooked food.

Because we come from ten thousands of generations living on meat, fish and cooked food, each of us were born with an addiction to these foods. It is hard to give up cooked food and meat. It needs a lot of courage to opt for raw foods. Therefore I would be happy to give you support on your transition to raw foods.

From my personal experience, I learned that you cannot serve both God or Satan. Many of you think it is OK to sit between the two by eating raw and cooked food. This way you would still be confused in life and delaying the process of complete healing of your spirit, mind and body.

Please remember that there is more and more information out there in the world on raw foods.

FACTS AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RAW FOOD AND COOKED FOOD

Image Source: here

Why Raw?
By Willa May Wille

RAW, GO LIVE :)
Why Raw? Why not!
Live Raw or (read backward) Evil War
Raw food is perfect
Cooked food is not perfect
Raw food is alive
Cooked food is dead
Raw food heals
Cooked food kills
Raw food is nature made (God made)
Cooked food is man made
Raw food has full calories
Cooked food has empty calories
Raw food is simple
Cooked food is complicated
Raw food has live enzymes
Cooked food has dead enzymes
Raw food brings health, happiness and harmony
Cooked food causes diseases, depression and deaths
Raw food is a blessing
Cooked food is a poison