volunteer

I have wanted to be an active member of my community by volunteering for a very long time. I just never found the organization that I felt I could be of my best service.

Until last week.

826LA.org is a non profit organization dedicated to teaching kids how to write. They have on site tutorials, workshops, field trips, and much more. It is a wonderful group of people that helps kids and allows them to get published!!

I firmly believe that the if we spend the time now educating children, it will be less time and money needed to fix the problems of the future.

So check them out.

slow down, you move to fast

I really wanted to go to Slow Food Nation this weekend in San Francisco. But for whatever reasons, it just didn’t happen.

For those of you who don’t know, Slow Food Nation was created to organize the first-ever American collaborative gathering to unite the growing sustainable food movement and introduce thousands of people to food that is good, clean and fair. The organization is dedicated to creating a framework for deeper environmental connection to our food and aims to inspire and empower Americans to build a food system that is sustainable, healthy and delicious. It was started by Alice Waters, owner of Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, and one of the first US chefs to create a restaurant around sustainable eating.

If you have been a frequent reader to this site, then you know this cause is near and dear to my heart. One phenomenal thing that has come out of this event is the “Declaration for Healthy Food and Agriculture”. This is a twelve point plan for remaking the Federal Farm Bill. If you could take the time, I would love it if you could go here and sign it.

Something needs to be done about our current food crisis in this country. I feel this is an amazing first step.

pray, and then move your feet

Incredible speech made by Al Gore on Thursday evening at the convention.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYdV1wszqhM&eurl=http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/8/28/18121/5877]

well, this is one perspective

I guess as in all things, there comes a point where one realizes what they are up against and that there are some people that just aren’t going to get it. Yes, I am angry at this person for what I perceive as the conceit and entitlement that he has to drive that big car, knowing full well it’s impact, and advertising it as such.

The other part of me says “thank you.” I am grateful to you for making it so abundantly clear to me the path I am on. Thank you for being fully yourself and letting me see the challenges I will face. Thank you for strengthening my resolve and dedication to my cause. Thank you, because the more people see your license plate, the more disgusted they will be, and the more I will have on my side of the line, as you stand alone.

…and counting, 8/28/08

TWO HUNDRED AND SEVEN DAYS TO GO!!!!

Keep it simple, stupid?

It seems silly to me for a word like “simple”, there are 29 definitions in the dictionary. Here are a few:
1.) easy to understand
2.) not elaborate or ornate
3.) unaffected, unassuming, modest
4.) free of deceit or guile, sincere, unconditional
5.) inconsequential or rudimentary
6.) lacking mental acuteness, or sense
7.) a person of humble origins

We all inherently know the definition of this word. We rely on life’s simplicity to function everyday. If life were too complicated, we would have a much harder time simply surviving; getting food, getting to work, breathing. We gravitate towards simplicity in many ways, whether it is finding the easiest route to a destination, or buying fast food instead of cooking at home. I know there are many things about life that seem effortless because we choose simplicity.

It is interesting that on one day I received two bits of information about being simple. The first, an article posted to www.planetsave.com about living simply, found here. The second, an issue of a magazine called “Real Simple”. A periodical about “life made easier”.

So, with all things, I decided to take a look at both and juxtapose the various advice made by each. Is there a clear communication about what each value, and what it is teaching us to value? If so, what habits does it encourage?

Let’s start with “Real Simple”. This is a description of the magazine in their words:

“Real Simple gives busy women the information, inspiration and tools they need to make life easier. Filled with practical solutions to everyday challenges, Real Simple helps its readers do the things they have to do, so they can spend more time doing what they want to do. These solutions are as soulful as they are real — the collective voice of wise wisdom and the advice you’d get from a trusted friend.

Real Simple is currently expanding its brand premise, “life made easier,” to other platforms, including books, special issues, international editions, a weekly television show on PBS, a syndicated newspaper column and two innovative product lines available at Target.”

The issue I received is 299 pages on ideas for wardrobe upgrades, easy skillet dinners, adding value to your home, etiquette and plus, the best exfoliators on the market! Of course all the pages are not dedicated to these topics. In fact, 149 pages, or just under 50%, of the magazine is dedicated to advertisements; telling you to buy “ALL this stuff” in order to be simple? Some of the advice given is to know how to interpret an expiration date. Are they kidding? Or, how to get your shoes to stop squeaking, which requires a cobbler, by the way, not a do-it-yourself trick. It also “tackles, head on” a very important quandry… how to get the most from your shade of hair color.

I do want to give them credit for some important articles, like picking the best compact fluorescent bulb. They have an article on how to recycle anything and everything, and include things from beach balls to mirrors… with the rest of the alphabet (n-z) appearing next month. And, my favorite article, etiquette in a cell phone age, because if I have to hear one more person talking about their last gynecology appointment, I am going to scream. And, yes, I know you just cringed. That is the point. You don’t even want to read it, why would you want to hear about it?

However, all of this being said, I think there is something of the greatest importance to talk about with these types of magazines; the impact on your mind about what is necessary. If you total up everything that this magazine recommends, it will cost you $50, 762!!!! And, that is just for THIS MONTH. I’m sorry, but I just have to ask, does that seem simple to you? And this number doesn’t include the cost of the two page shopping list of recommended food to purchase, which I estimate at $350. No wonder eating fast food seems easier, when you are looking at a bill like that. Which, in reality, eating from home is not that hard or expensive, as I proved here.
And the costs keep rising. When you go to the website, the first flash page instructs you on how to buy children’s gifts for “$50 or less”. I think you already know my beliefs about this and if you don’t, go here. Or, my other favorite recommendation from the website: How to create the ideal bed.

Here’s how, according to them:
1.) Buy a good mattress, the average cost of their listed recommendations: $1877
2.) Sheets, avg. cost: $206
3.) Bed covers, avg. cost: $182
4.) Pillows, avg. cost: $100

For a grand total of $2365.

Want to know my recipe for an ideal bed? Buy some sheets from Target, at most $49.99, throw on a blanket, and cuddle with someone you love.

Now, let’s go over to the article of www.planetsave.com. In this article, the author, Megan Prusynski, makes her argument for living a simple life. She says, and I agree with her, look at what you consume and cut it down. Because when you look at the true cost of what you purchase, it is not necessary and more importantly, it is not guilt free. She lists seven simple questions to ask yourself before you purchase anything.

1.) Do I need it?
2.) Is it something I will use often?
3.) Would a used item suffice?
4.) What is the most sustainable option?
5.) Am I falling prey to consumerism?
6.) Will it last?
7.) Could I make it myself?

She handled that article on one web page, which had three advertisements. That seems pretty simple, in my opinion.

So, why did I take the time to show the difference between these two examples of simple consumerism? Because I feel that currently there is an epidemic of consumption. I think we buy too much for no reason.

I look at the magazine and I wonder to myself, what habits does this create? What happens when you see the words “must have” next to a $500 price tag, over and over and over, again? What alteration does our perception go through when we are blocked from seeing the true information of our world as expressed through a connection to others and our surroundings? Now, I do not believe the magazine is to blame. It is a product that chronicles an already present mind shift that started years and years ago. And, at the same time, perpetuates the same state of mind. I know that I have mentioned it before but I feel life would be simpler if we really and truly were keeping up with the Joneses and not some fictitious family that can afford the $50,000 cost of the September 2008 issue of Real Simple.

I go back to the example of definitions, as listed above, and I wonder to myself which lifestyle honors the word: simple. All of the definitions, with the exception of the sixth, represent a lifestyle I want to have and the power I give to my purchases. I do not want to leave a footprint on this planet, as in “unaffected” or “inconsequential”. I want to honor nature by allowing it to nurture me and provide me with real, whole food, as in “easy to understand” and “not ornate”. I want to have humility and be free of guilt and love my friends and family unconditionally, and have my purchasing power reflect those words. This is how I choose to live.

Please take a moment to look at definition number six and think of what the magazine teaches us.

Now, decide how you want to live.

tsb, 08-26-08

Thank you Aryan for sending in a This Store Blows… although I feel this should be more appropriately titled “This Store Breaks My Heart.”

Shame on you, American Apparel. Of all the retailers that exist, I really thought you would be more conscience of your actions. I guess it’s great that you pay a fair salary, give medical benefits, and don’t outsource to other countries. Too bad, you are helping create an environment in which those same workers and families won’t have a sustainable place to live…..

new clear family

Do you know the myth of Icarus? The story goes that he and his father had to escape Crete and in doing so his father fashioned wings made of wax. He warned his son to not fly too close to the sun or the wings would melt. Icarus didn’t listen and became enthralled with his power and freedom which, as warned, led to his demise.

It is very interesting to study fatal flaws; whether it be the beauty queen that gets too much plastic surgery to stay flawless, or the businessman who makes money to “get the gal” only to feel isolated because of the pressures that lifestyle brings, or the person who so needs attention that they become a stereotype of themselves, and as a result become a laughing stock. We have always looked at the fatal flaws of an individual, and I started to wonder can a community have a fatal flaw?

Along these lines, about a month ago, Ali and I were having a conversation and he said something very interesting… that America’s only export was our way of life. I wondered if that were true. And, that got me thinking… if it were true; why is it that way, what is the effect of that export and who “purchases” our export more than others?

I think the traditional American ideal started after World War II and peaked somewhere in the fifties. It has changed a lot over the years, having one transformation under Reagan in the 1980’s and Clinton in the 90’s. Essentially, however, the picture perfect America is still the agriculture fields in the green belt blowing in the wind, the family owned diner serving hamburgers, fries and apple pies, the small communities of homes with their well manicured lawns, and the family having an innocent competition to keep up with their neighbors, the Joneses.

We sell this ideal in everything we do… it is represented in our television shows and movies; it is in our print ads and commercials. I would argue it is so ingrained in our psychology that even though living this way is not the norm, when you survey people about their lifestyle, they subconsciously lie to keep up appearances and hold this “truth” in place.

Based on this snapshot, our economy grew. American consumers had confidence in our products and our stock market and our dollar bill, and as a result it grew exponentially and we were able to create an even better ideal. That lead to other countries looking at what we had to offer and investing in our country. They bought our cars and our computers and our clothes…

But at some point, it ever so silently backfired on us. We wanted to make more money, so we outsourced to other countries because of low wages and cheap materials. Unfortunately, what really happened was those countries figured out they could do things better than us; better computers, cell phones, cars, and customer service! And the only thing we knew to do about it was market ourselves even more.

But let’s take a look at what we are marketing by breaking down the picture of America:

Agriculture:

Past: 40% of American workforce is small, family owned farms that raised a variety of goods, earning top dollar. Animals are raised free range, no antibiotics, slaughtered humanely. Farmers could live on their land for year after year, turning out good product because of healthy soil and water, therefore resulting in a healthy product

Present: 2% of American workforce is farmers. Mostly, Corporate owned farms of single corps, with the majority being corn, soy, cotton and canola. The farms that still make our produce are under strict guidelines for what can be produced, down to the millimeter’s allowed for the width of a tomato. Most crops are genetically engineered, need huge amounts of fertilizers and pesticides. Animals are raised in confined conditions, heavily medicated, and inhumanely treated. And, we are creating acres of land and sea that are dead zones. All of which contribute to goods that have almost no nutritional value. Farmer’s are barely living above the poverty line, and the only reason they are not is because of government subsistence.

The Western diet:

Past: The American family sat down to eat dinner which took about 45 minutes to prepare. It consisted of small portions of a meat, a starch, and a vegetable. The family talked, the television was off, and being there was a requirement. The average dinner took 30 minutes to consume. And, even if the family did go out to the diner I mentioned, everything was made fresh to order, portion sizes were controlled, you knew the family who owned the restaurant and knew how it was getting made.

Present: On average, it now takes 15 minutes, at most, for dinner to be made. This is because 90% of what American families buy is pre-made, processed “food”. The portion sizes have now tripled. The average dinner is consumed in 10 minutes. And, the family rarely, if ever, sits down together to eat, thereby limiting conversation and social interaction. Most dinners are eaten with the television on or alone or worse, in their car. Speaking of eating in the car, those family owned diner’s… they’ve all turned in to McDonald’s, Burger King, Carl’s Jr., or the like. The typical hamburger, fries and apple pie averages 1600 calories per meal, you have no idea where it came from and often a machine made it.

The home:

Past: Small communities consisting of individual homes, approximately 1000 sq. ft. The homes were unique and quaint. The neighborhoods were within walking distance to most stores, churches, restaurants and parks. And, most families stayed in their homes for the entire 30 year mortgage.

Present: Suburban communities consisting of 200 plus houses, each house on average 2600 sq. ft. The homes all look the same; have very limited yards and no access to any social centers like stores, parks, or churches. If you want to go somewhere, you must get in your car. The average turn around time of a home is 5 years, unless, of course you have been foreclosed.

The competition:

Past: Keeping up with the Joneses. They got a TV; you tried to get a TV too. The TV lasted 15 years. You got a new car; they got a new car too. The car lasted until you ran it into the ground, got it repaired, and ran it into the ground, again. You invited your neighbor’s over for Sunday BBQ in the backyard. You helped each other out by watching the kids and loaning a mower. You were friends and you encouraged each other to do better.

Present: Keeping up with the Kardashians, or Hilton’s, or Spears, or Lohans, or Ritchies. They have a new outfit on everyday; guess who does too? They drive a Range Rover… guess what your child wants for her 16th birthday? I have said it before, but I will say it over and over… it would be nice if the competition were still between you and your neighbor and not you and some fake, unrealistic television show. This has lead us to be in debt and raised us on principles of disposability. I could go on and on about this, but I already have and you can read that here: baby talk

So, why am I bringing all of this up? So what, right? Wrong. This concerns you because everything in the “present” categories is what we export to the world. We do not export goods and services. We export a life style of unhealthy eating in the form of agriculture with no nutritional value, massive wastes of space called homes, and a consumer mentality that has put us in debt and is quickly taking us into another depression. And, I don’t think we will get out of another depression and become the world leader like we did last time.

When you look at what our lifestyle is doing to other countries, we, as Americans, should be ashamed. We can start with food. We have exported a way of life where fast food is more revered than traditional foods. We are not evolved to eat food that has been processed and pumped full of salt or sugar. We are not supposed to eat simple carbohydrates. This lifestyle is killing us in the form of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Not to mention the indirect effect of not having a structure at home, in which children are raised properly, having devastating effects on our communities. We are now spreading this across the world where Western diseases are popping up in cultures that never had these diseases before… so now some cultures not only have to deal with Malaria, but oh yeah… lower your cholesterol!

Even our food, meaning whole food, has no nutritional value. Oranges are known for being a healthful food because they are a fantastic natural source of Vitamin C. However, our industrialization of our agriculture has created such unhealthy ways of growing oranges, through pesticides and bad soil that we have managed to create oranges that when tested, contain NO VITAMIN C!!!!! Our meat is full of antibiotics and pesticides. And, we encourage the drinking of milk when we, as a species, are not supposed to have milk past the age of five.

We can also look at the items we purchase. I’m not going to repeat my ideas about our consumerism and the downfall I perceive, as I have already mentioned it once. But, what has happened by us wanting more or this, and this, and this, and oh… “of this!”, we have created a need for mass production that is cheap. So, where have we gone? Mainly China, but other Asian countries and India, as well. We have allowed for these countries to forgo, what we consider fair labor practices, by paying very low wages and working people very long hours, so we can have our goods available 24/7 at Target or Wal-Mart. Floods of citizens have entered the cities to take these jobs. And, not because their life was so bad in the rural areas, but because they too want to be able to purchase the same things we want; the clothes, the shoes, the toys, the crap.

I could go on with many examples of how we export our lifestyle and the negative effects, but this is getting lengthy and I have some more points to make.

Obviously, I am going to mention the environment. Our lifestyle does enough damage to our home. And, then, albeit indirectly, we encourage others to do even more damage to live like us. When asked about global warming, a leader from China said, and I am paraphrasing, that yes they are “very aware that global warming exists, but why should Americans be the only ones to benefit from the American lifestyle. We want to live that way too!”

In exporting the American way of life, we have created countries of consumerism, spread disease, and destroyed the environment, not to mention, created death and destruction through war. In all honesty, I do not see much of what we have contributed to the planet.

When you look at the places that haven’t been blinded by our desires, you see countries that have tradition, community, lack of disease, and are, in general, happier. Interestingly, as well, because their life choices are for quality and pleasure, they also have indirectly chosen goals that are a benefit to the environment. When you choose good whole food over McDonald’s, you choose for the planet. When you choose a quality clothing item, or shoe, or what-have-you, that is hand crafted and wins the test of time, you choose for the planet. When you choose the car that fulfills a purpose, not makes you look good to your neighbors, you choose for the planet.

So, why did I bring up Icarus so many paragraphs before? Because Icarus was given a gift to survive, instead he turned it into power, and as a result he created his own demise. I think we have done same. I think we have created this supposed Utopia which in turn is hurting us. Like the beauty queen, we have changed our landscape and become barren. Like the businessman, we have created such an ideal of wealth that we have been isolated from countries that do not trust our policies or our word. And, like the person needing attention, we have become such a stereotype of ourselves as the gluttonous individual that we are the laughing stock of the planet.

….and counting

two hundred and fifteen days to go!

for peet’s sake

I was so disappointed yesterday when I ordered a cup of iced tea…. and got this….!!!

This amount of trash is unacceptable. Three cups!! THREE cups! One of which is non-biodegradable. Believe you me, Peet’s got an ear full; in person and I sent a customer feedback email from the website. Can you imagine what would happen if we ALL stopped allowing stuff like this to happen? To use our collective voice to tell corporations this is unacceptable and it must change or we won’t do business with them? Just think for a second what kind of impact that would have…

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