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What can I do? PDF Print E-mail
Thoughts
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
     These days I’m feeling a little helpless about the big oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.  What can I do to help?  As I thought about it, I realized that every little thing that I do to decrease the dependence on fossil fuels would help. Here are some things that I am doing.
    Buying as much locally grown food and products as possible.  I'm asking the grocery stores to tell me where the food is grown that I am buying.  As more and more of us ask them, they will have to respond to the consumers.  By buying food grown closer to us we cut down on the miles that it has to be brought and the gas that is used to bring it.  Because it doesn’t travel so far, it tastes better.... it can be picked riper.  Do you know that in Atlanta there are many organic farmer's markets?  There are two, one on Wednesday and one on Saturday, in our little town of Decatur.  Explore where you live to see if you can find food that is grown close to home.
     I walk or ride my bike whenever I can.  Our town is a totally friendly town as far as walking is concerned and becoming more and more friendly to cyclists.
    I take reusable bags into the store.  I keep them on the seat next to me so that I see them when I get out of the car.  I keep accumulating more reusable bags, so, I’ve decided that I’m going to carry extra ones into the store, sometimes, to give to someone who doesn’t have one with them.  I have seen the statistics about how much oil it saves to not use plastic bags and it’s astounding.  Between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year.
    Cut down on plastic bottles for water.  I take my own reusable bottle, either safe plastic or metal.  There are all kinds to choose from... some of them very fashionable.  This website is one place that you can explore alternatives.  http://www.reusablebags.com/
    I help my health as well as the environment by taking my lunch or picnics in reusable containers.  My daughter has gone so far as to take a reusable container to the restaurant to take home left overs... now, we’re not all going to be that good, but, I hadn’t thought of it before she did it.  You can carry your own silver wear and cloth napkins to use in place of disposables.  Sometimes it’s a little cumbersome, but, things are getting more fun all the time.  I would love to hear back from you what you have tried.  
    It might not seem like much, but, when millions of us change the way we do things it will make big changes. 
     Come and learn how to cook more at home and do things to take good care of you and your family.  I'm teaching classes this summer.  Check out the list on this site.  Be well and take good care of yourselves.

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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 June 2010 )
 
The Dirty Dozen PDF Print E-mail
Thoughts
Friday, 27 March 2009
There are lots of reasons to buy organic food.  Not least of which is that there are more nutrients in the food from the really good soil they are grown in.  And there is also the fact that local food, produces a much smaller carbon footprint.  We have got to stop shipping from one state to another when we can buy the same food right here.  And doesn't it make asparagus taste that much better when you can only get it fresh when it is growing in your own area?  The anticipation is a big part of the enjoyment.  The following foods, when tested, are the foods that are most likely to have pesticide residues and therefore, if that is the main concern you are using in your decision to buy organic, these would be the ones you would absolutely need to buy organic.
1. Peaches
2.  Apples
3.  Bell Peppers
4.  Celery
5.  Nectarines
6.  Strawberries
7.  Cherries
8.  Kale
9.  Lettuce
10. Imported Grapes
11. Carrots
12.  Pears

On the other hand there are 15 vegetables that are the least likely to carry pesticide residues on them
1.  Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4.  Pineapple
5.  Mango
6.  Asparagus
7.  Sweet peas
8.  Kiwi
9.  Cabbage
10.  Eggplant
11.  Papaya
12.  Watermelon
13.  Broccoli
14.  Tomato
15.  Sweet potato
This list is published by the environmental working group at: http://www.ewg.org/
There is also a good article published by Center for Science in the  public interest in the July/August 2007 issue of Nurtition Action Health Letter.  http://www.cspinet.org/
I would love to hear your reactions. 

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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 June 2010 )
 
Thoughts for Feb 2009 PDF Print E-mail
Thoughts
Thursday, 05 February 2009
It has been quite a while since I added something to this blog.  Recently we started a pracitice group in NVC (Nonviolent Communication) in Decatur at my office.  This is a way to make the practice of NVC REAL.  We have the opportunity to practice difficult conversations, either before or after they take place and have the support of other wonderfully loving people.  The support and insight of this group of people is an amazing thing to behold.  I long for a time when the majority of our interactions with people will be so loving and so supportive.  We are moving to a place where we can acknowledge everyone's needs.... not necessarily meet them all, but acknowledge them and give them consideration.  At the same time, being aware of the judgments that we have in the process and working to separate them out from our observations of what is happening.  That is an unusual thing in our culture.  My heart feels full when I think of this group.  Thanks to everyone involved.

We're currently reading the book "Don't Be Nice, BE REAL:  A Handbook for Nonviolent Communication"  by Kelly Bryson. 

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Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 February 2009 )
 
A New Way of Looking at Money PDF Print E-mail
Thoughts
Wednesday, 07 May 2008
I'm reprinting this article from  a year ago. I'm very interested in hearing your comments.
A New Way of Looking at Money $$$$
     Money is a strategy we use to meet our needs. When I offer individual sessions and classes, I meet a variety of my own needs, including making a contribution, creating meaning, having a connection, and personal growth. I intend to meet my need for support in my livelihood through my individual work & teaching.  Hoping to meet these needs, I ask that each person contribute the most they can.
      At the same time, I have a deep joy in and commitment to making my work available to all people regardless of their financial means. This meets my need for inclusion, hope, and concrete action toward bringing peace and change to our world. Hoping to meet these needs, I  ask that each person contribute no more than they are able.
    Money is a charged issue for most of us in this culture. In this context, I want to shift our relationships to money.  One of my ways of doing this is to create a wide sliding-scale rather than the usual quite narrow sliding-scale for my individual sessions. I hope that you will see my sliding-scale as an opportunity to consider the variety of  needs that exist within your relationship to money * your needs for sustainability, security, ease, comfort, and contribution, among others. I hope that you will consider those needs of yours along with mine which I described above, and arrive at an amount that reflects your financial reality grounded in your needs. Hoping to meet both your and my needs I ask that you contribute the most that you would like to.
     I am excited about this approach as I have found that, over time, it  contributes to meeting all of our needs for learning and for moving toward a society in which everyone's needs can be considered, and hopefully met.
      I have set a sliding scale of $75-$150 for an hour session.  If you have questions or comments about this please call or email me at:
 
404-377-1257    This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 May 2008 )
 
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