Some one REALLY DOES something!!

I just watched the movie Crude last night. It is not a really crude movie, it is actually a documentary about a legal battle going on between people in Ecuador and the company Texaco/Chevron. Basically the people there were exploited for their natural resources and abandoned to the toxic waste and damaged environment. They now drink and bathe in polluted waters. Their food comes out of these waters too, or drinks the water, and is thus also poisoned. I won't do into all the details, because you can watch the movie for yourself, but it a really sad tale of greed on one hand, politics, and people who were not involved with the initial crime who are now in charge of the company that was. It actually makes for a much more complicated moral play than you might think. That is to say, it is easy to simply blame the big company who has lots of money and try to take their money just because they have it. But it truly is not as simple as that. Corruption between the government and the company was rampent, I am sure, and for the last 15 years a government run oil company has taken over for Texaco. So it is hard to tell where the blame for damage in specific locations should fall.

But the environmental damage is clear. And it certainly can be traced back to Texaco's arrival on the scene. The kind of devastation left behind would NEVER be allowed here in the states. The suffering of the children there is horrendous.

As I watched I asked myself, "WHY?" Why do mothers keep bathing their children in the polluted waters? Why do men continue to drink from the streams? Why are all the clothing and the animals washed there too? Even an unpolluted stream can make someone sick, let alone one that makes its way through oil waste! And if all else fails, why don't these people leave and head to safer ground?

But for the poverty stricken people of that place, options are few. They are living on ancestral lands, and there is no indoor plumbing, let alone bottled water or purification systems...

And this is where the best part of the story comes in. The legal fight regarding Texaco's payment to the people may go on for a long time still...10 or 15 years, but Tudie Styler, wife of the singer Sting, didn't think the people should wait that long. She decided to act. She helped set up rain water collection and purification systems for the people in affected areas of Ecuador. She brought them clean water!! What a gift in a world where the water is literally killing you.

It doesn't solve all the problems, but it takes a big leap toward solving one of the problems, and that is a start. Check out the link below to read about this story. It is really great.

UNICEF National Ambassador Trudie Styler brings clean water project to Ecuador

NEW YORK, USA, 15 June 2009 – UNICEF National Ambassador Trudie Styler has been a long-standing supporter of humanitarian causes. In 2005, the film producer and actress received the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award for her longstanding commitment to UNICEF.

Recycling through the numbers....

Just writing to say that I am very proud of my county!! Our convenience center now accepts plastics recylcing of any number 1-7!! We have been a #1 and #2 recylcler for a while now, but this last week when I dropped my stuff off the numbers have changed.

I am very happy that we have taken this step forward. Hope other counties start to do the same!

Oh, how I need to post~

OK, since I last posted there has been SO much to post about! And yet, I am still not posting a real post. But we have had the BP oil destruction, I watched Food Inc, and I have been to the Franklin Farmer's market. All three were life changing, really! :)

So here is a summary of my next three proposed posts.

#1--"The World has changed....I can feel it in the water. I can feel it in the earth..."--Galadrial

I truly believe that what has happened in the Gulf will be a Game Changer. This will change how we talk about oil, how we talk about our use of oil, and how we talk about the environment. I mean it better! I truly believe that the blame game has to stop in relation to this thing. EVERY group, from the Green movement to the politician to the Oil Baron better sit up and say "I was a part of this, so how can we work on this?" This picture is from MAy 2nd. Yes, a month later, I can only imagine what it looks like. And I could not find a current satelite shot. I wonder why? If you find one, let me know...

#2 Food Inc. "Buy food that is produced by companies that treat their workers, animals and the consumer with respect."

Food Inc was an awesome movie. It was a must see. It explained so many things that are there in the back of my mind and your mind (if you admit it) that don't make sense in our system. I mean, as a friend said yesterday at lunch, "I have seen a lot of chickens in my life, but never have I seen one with breasts the size of the ones you can buy at the grocery!" That kind of thing comes at a cost. And we are ALL paying the cost. Did you know that YOU are paying? Through tax dollars, with your health, you are risking economic strength and stability, and we are all spending environmental capital that we may never be able to get back. This movie is not a pro-vegetarian flick, but is instead designed to get you to think about what you eat...and maybe to make BETTER choices. 

#3 The Franklin Farmers Market "It’s summertime at the Franklin Farmers Market! We’ve got the tasty locally grown veggies and fruits that you want. There’s also tender beef, pork, lamb and chicken perfect for grilling out plus fresh dairy products, straight from Middle Tennessee farms to your table. It doesn’t come any fresher than that. And don’t forget all of the wonderful baked goods. Lots of muffins, fresh breads, cakes, cookies and pies. It’s more than enough to satisfy your sweet tooth!"

OK, shameless plug for the Farmer's Market. I went to the Farmapalooza last weekend, and it was WONDERFUL, like walking through a garden and a rainbow and a community at the same time. Some much freshness, it was great. And not bad priced. I need to learn how to can so that I can preserve some of this good stuff until winter. But for now I am trying to eat what is fresh and in season.

Well, so this post turned out OK after all. Three good topics and I hope to revisit each at some point soon. But feel free to comment on any of these subjects now if you would like! :)

A little rant about beef...

Have you ever thought, as you bite into that juicy burger, "Hmm, wonder if this one was a downer?" Probably not. You think of a cow grazing green pastures happily until one day it is his turn to become lunch.

Unfortunately, that is not often how it goes. Espcially if you order that burger off of a value meal somewhere.

And up until last year, sometimes the cow you were eating was a downer. What is a downer?

Wikipedia says "A downer is an animal, usually livestock, that is unable to stand on its own and therefore is to be killed."

The EPA says, "A cow unable to arise due to disease or injury."

Sometimes they are frozen to the metal of a transport truck, sometimes they are injured in transit or on the stock yard, sometimes they are just sick. But just because they are down, it didn't mean the cow producers considered them out. Out of meat production, that is. They just have to be shocked or dragged or some other way forced to the slaughtering facility. And then someone, somewhere, gets to be the one to eat THAT burger. Sounds yummy huh?

Thanks to President Obama, downers are not allowed in the food supply anymore. Thank you Barak!! These cows have led to outbreaks of numerous diseases, including Mad Cow, because the cows wallow in their own feces.
According to MSNBC:
"A partial ban on downer cows was already in place; it resulted from the nation's first case of mad cow disease, in 2003.
But there was a loophole. If a cow collapsed after passing inspection, government inspectors allowed the animal into the food supply if it had an acute injury, such as a broken leg, but showed no signs of central nervous disorder that might indicate the presence of mad cow disease."

(This photo is from China, but is probably not all that different from the cramped quarters American facilities have)

Then last year in March Obama totally banned the practice, no matter when the cow went down. But you know, this story still scares me. It scares me that the people in charge of our food supply were not able to figure this one out. They were so blinded by greed that they were willing to horribly abuse animals AND then process tainted meat to be fed to humans. Just because there is a new ban doesn't mean there isn't a now loophole too.

My point here is that it is easy to mock groups like PETA. I saw a bumper sticker just yesterday, "People EAting Tasty Animals" Ha Ha. But even though groups like PETA can be extreme, they are charged with a VERY hefty task. Enlightening people who don't want to be elightened about something that happens where almost none of us can see it. And it is something so horrible that almost none of us can believe it. It goes against all that we have known, and against the whole history of the Western World. It breaks with what many feel is the foundation of our culture. I myself was asked, after becoming a vegetarian, how I could do such a thing here in "cattle country". I have been told you can't be healthy without meat. I have been told I MUST drink milk. But it isn't true. 
I was also told I should be supporting local farmers. And I shot back that I would be happy to, but as they do not sell the meat of the animals raised humanely and locally in any accessible way, I am simply going to have to forgo meat. But you know what, times are a-changing in that respect. More and more locally raised, organic, cruelty free options are out there. I wouldn't go back to meat eating now even in this way, but if you can't quiet give up meat, you can make better choices. Does it cost more? Sure. But think about what you are paying for and what you are skimping on when you buy the cheaper meat. If you want details on that go to the PETA website and look around awhile. Educate your self and I guarantee you will rethink the way you eat.
Or not, the choice is up to you.

More beautiful food photos...

It is so wonderful when you find that awesome and easy go to recipe. Well this week I found one. Vegan Pot Pie. It is SO good. My friend made it first. HEre is her version.

And here is mine. Delicious and SO easy!

This is what I made last night. A bean/avacado dip with some "Veggie Cheese" on top. It was Ok.

Rebekah's succotash. So pretty right? She didn't really like it, although it is one of my go to recipes too. But it does look marvelous!

This plate was served to me at a friends home. It was the first time we were invited somewhere and my husband had to say, "We'd love to come, but just so you know, my wife doesn't eat meat..." Well, our hosts really out did themselves and I was served a full vegan feast! Wonderful food and a lovely dessert. It was so awesome.

I am including this picture just for the sheer beauty of it. I just loved the way these veggies looked as I cooked them up. This eventually became Spanish rice.

The thing about eating vegan/vegetarian/healthy that I love is that you are forced to think about your food. You have to take time to really see it as you prepare it. I know that may sound funny, but I am used to just grabbing something, or eating in my car, or bolting fast food. I am not used to thinking about my food. And eating can become this spiritual thing. As I looked at these beautiful vegetables I was awed at God's creation and this incredible process that we call life. You look at it and you know that, yes, it is good.

The Neti Squirt

The Neti Pot! This I have found to be a verdant way of treating allergies and head colds. No meds, just a, um.m.m, seasoning of salt and baking soda mixed in water and up the nose.

I don't actually use the pot. I use the Neti Squirt.



They call this nasal irrigation. That sounds verdant, doesn't it. You don't have to buy salt packs.

Here is a recipe:

◦1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized salt (pickling salt is recommended)
◦1/4 teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder)
◦1 cup of warm water (not hot)

You can use a little more of the salt/baking soda if you want. Too much and it will sting.

The actual squirt bottle that I use is by NeilMed.

Try it if you are wanting to treat allergy or cold symptoms without using a lot of medicine.

to cage or not to cage...

OK, so we were enjoying a beautiful lunch today, and you know, if you are thinking, any situation can become a moral dillemma. Or at least a chance for philosphizing about moral concerns. So we were eating at a place in Opry Mills mall called the Aquarium resturant. It is a beautiful place and you literally feel like you are underwater there. Fish are everywhere, in huge tanks, and there are even sharks and manta rays.

You walk in and you are immediately struck by the beauty of it. You just want to sit and watch the fish go round and round; it makes you forget to look at the menu! They are just going round and round and round. And somewhere mid-meal it hits you. That shark has been just going around and around for almost an hour. And that is all he gets to do for the whole day. Every day...

So is that a good thing or not?

It made me think of Dory from Finding Nemo. You know, the one who has like a 3 second memory. She just floats around and cant make a connection with anything because she can't remember anything. There were some of those same kind of fish in the tanks. Life for them has to be better here than in the ocean, especially if they truly have the limited brain capacity that people say they do. I mean, they have a reasonable amount of space, constant food source and no predators. I think people tend to forget that "life in the wild" includes a very high infant mortality and a very short lifespan for more animals. Whereas life in captivity may mean a less interesting life, but it is certainly one that is more comfortable and long. And that seems to make sense for the Dory fish. But for the sharks? The big Mantas? The Eel? Aren't they made to dart and zoom, hunt and roam, kill and eat? Circle with one fin out of the water? It is hard to feel good about their constant circling.

Our discussion turned to zoos as well.  Is it right to keep animals in a cage? Shouldn't they be "out there" where they belong? But where is "out there" these days? I mean, think about the wild cows in India. They are allowed to roam, but there is certainly a risk to the humans they live near. And for many animals their habitats are shrinking and disappearing. Many an animal loving zookeeper truly believes that his or her work is integral to the preservation of many species. So if we as a planet want to keep animals in their homes, we are going to have to change how we do business in a major way. ( And I don't think that would be a bad thing. I won't repeat what has been said so many times, but feel free to mentally add here a monologue on the destruction of the rainforest, extinct species, pollution, etc.)

One blogger said this:

"Viewed through a sentimental lens, it’s an understandable conundrum [That is, whether animals should be kept in zoos and tanks or allowed to simply live in the wild]. And it’s a conundrum that highlights why, despite attacks suggesting the contrary, the work of animal rights is a highly unsentimental enterprise. To argue that we must consider the rights of animals like Tilikum and Tatiana is to accept that we must put aside our wish to experience these animals firsthand, and consider rather what is best for them. For many of us who love animals, it is in some ways a sacrifice. It is putting aside the selfish love of childhood, which insists that somehow, we must possess what we love, even if it is just with our eyes, and moving toward a mature love, one that recognizes we can best honor the animals we adore by allowing them to thrive in our absence, far from our view."

I like this quote for its last sentance. We must, as adults, go through that process, giving up what we want in exchange for what is best. In some cases arguments could be made that letting an animal back in the wild may not be best for it in particular. I mean, the wild cats that live among us (that is, on the streets and in the barns of America, I am not talking about so called big cats) are much more of a menace and danger than our pet cats. AND the wild cats suffer much more than our pets. So we must make determinations about that based on reason. But over all, I am in agreement with this blogger's feeling. Regardless of what we human's like or want, animals are better off living where they belong, in their natural habitat.

And we certainly should not think we can contain these dangerous animals without fear of consequence. They are still WILD ANIMALS. This week a true tragedy occurred at Sea World. A trainer was killed by a Shamu-like whale (a killer whale living at SeaWorld, and we all know that killer whales living at Sea World should all be named Shamu, even though this one wasn't. When I was young I saw Shamu at the Sea World in Ohio and wondered how he could live both in Ohio and in Florida at the same time...) But anyway, this story leads to a lot of renewed discussion of the relationship between man and beast. I think about when the white Tiger attacked the magician from Sigfried and Roy, or the chimp that ripped the woman's face off. Again, it is not shocking that these events happened, and it should give our society pause as we think about our relationships with animals. They really aren't made to put on shows for us or live penned up in a cage. Can we make it work? Sometimes. But it will always be a tightrope walk at best. If we forget that, we are in deep Elephant poo.

Another issue is the use of animals in medical and scientific testing. NASA has recently been doing some experiments using monkeys to test the effects of space radiation. Here is a link to an admitedly biased article about it. And when I say biased, I don't mean outrageous, just that the writer is clearly against this form of animal testing. And I think we definitely should be when there are viable alternatives. But there are gray areas depending on how we value the greater good of human lives.

Basically, I like this discussion. We as individuals have little power to make changes in the world as a whole, but we do have our vote, for one, and our ability to changes how we act in this world. This may be refusing to go to zoos, if your conscience convicts that. Or it may be donating to save the rainforest. Or it may be boycotting all of NASA, as one post suggested, although I am not sure how you do that...not eat astronaut ice cream? Or this may be picking up polluting trash at a local waterway.

Here is a great link on how we can help the animals in practical and realistic ways. Their take? Go on a whale watching cruise and skip Sea World completely.

I would LOVE to get your take on this one...