I just watched these three videos on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi1FTCzDSck, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVlJqwft9I8&feature=relmfu, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQDqEUd53YQ&feature=relmfu It's a three-part series of videos interviewing Dr. Vandana Shiva who is a physicist from India and the founder of Navdanya International which is "...an organization that focuses on saving and distributing native seeds to local farmers." (see http://www.vandanashiva.org/?p=700 for more information on Dr. Vandana Shiva and Navdanya International). I've watched these videos a couple times before and they always get me fired up. In these videos, Dr. Shiva summarizes and perfectly expresses everything I've learned, come to realize, think and feel regarding nutrition, organic farming, food industry, globalization, local and global economy, trade, politics etc... Her focus is on the issue of genetically modified seeds and the company Monsanto (they sell genetically modified seeds) wanting to put a patent on seeds; but through that, and with a background of actual experience and scientific know-how, she manages to cover how this, and what it represents, connects to all levels of human life. It's extremely interesting, illuminating and instructive! I believe that everyone needs to have an understanding and awareness of what she covers in this video and realize the importance of what she is saying and the role they have to play in it. "Be the the change you wish to see in the world" as Gandhi once said and Dr. Shiva makes it very clear what needs to change.
I will let you watch the videos for yourself but let me quote something from it to summarize the point, or at least one if the main points I want you to get from watching these. In talking about what we can do about these issues she discusses the need to know how real food is grown and put the effort into supporting those who grow it (or grow it ourselves). She connects making this conscious decision and effort to "security overall". As she puts it: "Careless walking down a Wal-Mart aisle where you don't know where the food is coming from, what's in it, is going to condemn you to all kinds of health problems, disease problems; but most of all it's going to rob you of fundamental freedom. Before you know it you won't be able to make the choice."
So, let me ask you a question. Are you willing to give your right to life itself up to companies and motives that do not have your best interests at heart? We are at a point where we need to take personal responsibility for what we put into our mouths; not just because of how it will effect our health and our children's health but because of it's effect on the economy, the community, the environment, the rest of the world and what kind of security and freedoms we (and those who come after us) will or will not have in the future. PLEASE watch the videos. It won't take long. It's a crash course in what I am going to spend my career trying to help people understand. At least on a nutritional level.
I watched the movie WALL.E last night and it's so interesting how it connects so well to Dr. Shiva's point about the seed being the symbol of our very life and existence and ability to perpetuate it. On all levels. If you haven't watched this movie you should. It's made by Pixar and its for kids and adults. I love it because not only is it funny and cute but it makes a GREAT point.
Lastly, here is a recipe. Of course. This was ridiculously good. Just sayin'. Enjoy!
Squash and Sweet Potato Soup
1 Amber squash
1 Butternut squash
1 Large sweet potato
Goats milk
Fresh basil
Rosemary
Thyme
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Salt and pepper
1-2 tbsp Flaxseed
1 tbsp butter or oil
*Onion
*Sunflower seeds
Slice, cube and peal the squash and sweet potatoes. Cook in a large pot on the stove-top until tender and a little squishy. Blend in a food processor with a little goats milk to help it mix better. Return the blended substance to the big pot and stove-top. Add as much goats milk (other types of milk such as nut, coconut, rice etc...would work too) as you need to get it to the desired consistency. Mine was thick but pour-able. Add fresh basil, thyme and rosemary. I used equal and generous amounts of each. It all depends on which flavor you like best as to your proportions. If you love the taste of basil, put more in. Then add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. You want this to be the underlying flavor so don't put too much in. You need more than a tsp of each as this is a large batch, but no more than 2-4 tbsp. Add the butter or oil (coconut oil would go great if you were using coconut milk instead of goats milk) and stir. Then add a little sea salt and pepper to taste. Make sure you have the soup on medium-low and are stirring whilst adding all of the seasonings.Simmer for 5-10 minutes (stir regularly though). Add the ground flaxseed and mix well. Check the flavor and add any of the seasonings as needed. You can add white onion and/or sunflower seeds if you like that idea. You should have a huge pot of soup that you can serve to a whole lunch/dinner party or separate and refrigerate/freeze for the rest of the week. Even two weeks! Serve with some sliced quinoa bread and butter on it and sprinkle a little goat cheese feta on the top of the soup for that extra dash of awesomeness.
Enjoy! I really liked it.
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