oh the govt...

Check out this article that shows how there really are two sides to what the government does. It is about a government funded organization that basically helps fast food restaurants with advertising and funding, keeping them afoot, while adding more cheese to the menu. The government says to limit our consumption of fast foods and other foods, yet are also funding them....seems a little off to me and I think most would agree.

Lunch Meats.

So I do not consume meat, but it doesn't mean I want every person in the world to completely stop eating meat. If you want to understand the plethora of reasons why people don't consume eat, then I would highly recommend the book Skinny Bitch or Skinny Bastard for the guys out there. It really goes over moral/ ethical reasons, the environmental impact, as well as the impact on your health. Not only that but it exposes companies for what they are doing to help you understand why it is important to know where your meat is coming from if you decide to consume it so that you may do so with a clear conscience.

If you are going to eat meat do it consciously and with care for yourself, the environment, and the animals. My brother used to always ask me about lunch meat and finding a kind that was okay, but I advise against lunch meat. Here is one of the reasons...

'Sodium Nitrite is a preservative that is usually present in salami, pepperoni, ham, bacon, hot dogs and other forms of processed meats. The reason why Sodium Nitrite is added to meats is because it preserves the red/pinkish color of the meat and gives it a fresh appearance, and also prevents botulism to some extent.

However when ingested in large amounts, sodium nitrite reacts with the stomach acids to produce nitrosamines, the main cause for cancer amongst animals.

Sodium nitrite consumption is also known to trigger migraine pains, and COPD form of lung diseases. Non-red meats such as chicken, tuna are comparatively safer as they do not have nitrates in them'

via www.bewellbuzz.com

I would also recommend this article if you do eat meat and are unsure of the best kind to buy or what goes into the labeling/making of your meat.

Excitotoxins.

I love my grandma dearly and have always loved her foods, but she now uses splenda in literally every vegetable she cooks. It used to be sugar, which I would rather not have, but it would be better than splenda. I easily pick out the taste in foods and know how it makes me feel so I don't eat it.

I wanted to delve into the dangers of splenda and other excitotoxins and what exactly it does, so I am using an article that I found that explains it well.

'Excitotoxins are basically amino acids that also function as neurotransmitters in the brain. But when brain cells are exposed to this chemical in large amounts (through dietary consumption), they become over-excited. During this stage, the nerve and brain cells fire their impulses rapidly until they reach extreme exhaustion, a near-death state.

Commonly found in canned soups, diet soda, sausages, salad dressing and processed vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. Excitotoxins are used as a flavoring agent in most such foods, but an over-dose of it can destroy the nerve cells. Since the protective enzymes in a baby’s brain are not fully developed, they are unable to detoxify the Excitotoxins that enter its brain. This is why pregnant women and young children should completely avoid foods containing even small amount of Excitotoxins.

The two most common forms of Excitotoxins are – Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) and Aspartate. Glutamate is a prevalent additive and is used in a many food products. MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas creates, causing rats (and humans) to become obese. It can also cause brain damage in your children, and that this chemical could effect how your children’s nervous systems formed during development so that in later years they may have learning or emotional difficulties. It’s crazy that FDA has set no limits on how much of it can be added to food. They claim it’s safe to eat in any amount. MSG manufacturers and the processed food industries are always on a quest to disguise the MSG added to food. Below is a partial list of the most common names for disguised MSG. Remember also that the powerful excitotoxins, aspartate and L-cystine, are frequently added to foods and according to FDA rules require NO LABELING AT ALL.

Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG

Monosodium Glutamate

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Hydrolyzed Protein

Hydrolyzed Plant Protein

Plant Protein Extract

Sodium Caseinate

Calcium Caseinate

Yeast Extract

Textured Protein (Including TVP)

Autolyzed Yeast

Hydrolyzed Oat Flour

Corn Oil

Aspartate is another excitotoxin that is widely used as an artificial sweetener in soft drinks, cereals, ice creams and so on. Aspartame (pre-cursor to aspartate) is known to cause various neuropsychiatric disorders such as panic attacks, mood swings, dizziness, blackouts and visual hallucinations.'

via www.bewellbuzz.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

In light of the holiday season I made some raw sweet potato chips with a holiday twist. My brother really wanted some dehydrated sweet potato chips, so this is what he got...

Ingredients:

Spiraled sweet potatoes

Honey

Ceylon Cinnamon

Vanilla Bean Powder

Himalayan Sea Salt

Nutmeg

Rising Costs

"People say there's a recession on. Well, I've done some sums to see if you can afford to still be on this planet, and I figured out the true cost of living: It costs nothing to offer a smile upon a stranger. It costs nothing to feel love for someone even if they're feeling hate for you. It costs nothing to help someone who can't at that moment help themselves. It costs nothing to hug. Hugs can't even be outlawed, though it's been tried. So if you spend your days doing the above, you'll see that you are rich and abundant beyond your wildest dreams. Lucky you." -Shazzie

Christmas Trees +CO2

We are getting our tree today and I am so thrilled to have its aroma filling our house. Picking out the tree is one of my favorite things to do and I insist on doing it each year.

When I think of a Christmas tree I love to think of them in the mountains surrounded by thousands of other Christmas trees and covered in snow. They are just so beautiful naturally even without all of the glitz and glam we cover them with, though I must say the decorated tree has always been one of my favorite parts about Christmas.

One way to be "green" with your Christmas tree this year is to try to find one that still has the root intact. It makes me sad to think of all the trees that are being cut down just to give a shelter for our presents. Trees not only absorb CO2 that is dangerous in excess in our atmosphere, but one tree also gives off enough oxygen to support 2 people per year. We need trees to survive and also to help counteract our carbon emissions. So try to find a tree with its root so that you can re-plant it in your yard after adorning it with all of your beautiful ornaments and stringing it with lights.

You changed my life.

I saw your mom tonight and she came up to me and asked if I knew who she was, and of course I did, you guys look so much alike. When I said yes, Morgan's mom, I almost started crying just saying your name. I sent a letter to her telling her how much you changed my life and just what a great person you had always been. Almost 4 years later and she still wanted to thank me for that.

You really changed my life and made me a much better person. Losing you and learning about life, how short it is, and how precious each moment can be, made me a better person. It was one of those moments that I know shaped me and would stay with me for the rest of my life. I was full of fears that held me back from opportunity and I still have fear but I don't let it control me.

I still see your smile and feel your gracious and loving energy. I want people to see me the way that I saw you, the way that you lit up a room with your smile and heart and made people smile and feel good just to be around you. I see you as somewhat of a martyr because the loss of such a beautiful soul woke a lot of people up and made people take a deeper look at their lives. I know you would want us all to be full of joy and not tears, but sometimes I can't help it when I think of how you really aren't here.

bread pudding.

So they made this as a snack for us all the time in Costa Rica and though I knew it had eggs in it and i usually don't consume those, this was probably my favorite snack. I mean it's got carbs, protein, and some good fats...oh and some sugar, but whole grains help slow it entering your blood stream and cinnamon levels off the blood sugar too, so it's not all that bad, right?

My family was definitely diggin some bread pudding at Thanksgiving and then the dogs had quite the meal with the leftovers. Needless to say, there were some disappointed people, especially George and Sarah White who had been looking forward to it all day. (brother and best friend since kindergarten)

Though it did add some laughter just thinking of the chaos as two massive weimaraners and two small maltese fight over the HUGE pan of bread pudding. I'm talking this could have been a dessert for like 20 people...left some lovely gifts as well.

ANYWAYS! My mother and I decide that we will make some more to appease the cravings going on and of course I insist on making it as healthy as possible. So, though I don't know exacts because really I had no clue what I was doing ( I looked at a bunch of recipes to get a feel for the type of ingredients and amounts, then kind of winged it) these are the ingredients that I used.

Mixed the two of these for the bread;

Sprouted Ezekiel raisin bread

100% whole wheat, organic bread (the ezekiel doesn't get as soft and gooey)

Then I decided to throw in some raw wheat germ

Mixture of ( to be poured on top);

organic, farmers market, range free, hormone free eggs (only the best of the best! ha)

almond milk

coconut oil

cinnamon

nutmeg

vanilla

organic cane sugar (maybe you could do it with honey too?)

wouldn't it be nice.

I hope that someday, asap, we are able to go to the grocery store without the concern of what we are buying. It would be so nice to go to the store and not need to look for labels saying organic or non-gmo, or labels that do not include high fructose corn syrup, msg, and all of the other evils lurking in the grocery store. This is just an unnecessary worry/stress that people do not need to worry about. It is just bizarre to me that I have to go out of my way to find food not laden with chemicals, pesticides, excitotoxins, and other dangers.

Shouldn't it be weird to have food that is sprayed with chemicals, injected with hormones, laden with pesticides, full of antibiotics...? This is what is weird to me, not people striving to eat all organic so that they eating pure fruits and vegetables, not chemicals.

I think we are getting closer and closer to having this paradigm shift and I truly look forward to it.

While I am enjoying the cold...

I also really miss the beach and summer. I didn't get to spend nearly enough time in the sand and waves this summer ( a little too much of it was spent in the chemistry lab and classroom).

So though it is cold and wintery outside, I would love to be in the sand building something like this...It is just a tad bit more extravagant than my usual drip towers, but I think I could handle it.

...I might make my dragon a little kinder though, or possibly harry potter fighting a dragon...

Turkey Day.

It's Thanksgiving, THANKSgiving, I want to reiterate that and what the real meaning and name of this holiday is. It is a day for us to give thanks for everything in our life, not just the turkey on our plates. It has turned into turkey day instead of this day of thanks it was meant to be.

I am thankful for so many things that it would almost be incessant for me to list, but very broadly, I am thankful for...

-All of the people in my life right now; family, friends, teachers, acquaintances, everyone involved in my life.

-Where I am today, where I was yesterday, and where I will be in the future

-The people who used to be part of my life because you have been part of who I am and still are everyday.

-All of the people who will become part of my life today, tomorrow, or in 30 years

-PASSION, TRUTH, LOVE, JOY

So today I wanted to make this holiday less about food and more about life and everything good in it. I am just drinking juice today so that I focus on what I am thankful for and not my belly. It is probably a little inconvenient and weird considering, but I hope it doesn't draw attention because I am doing it for me and not because I want to be the odd one out at our massive southern cooked meal. I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving and appreciates the love that has been put into all of the food that will be eaten today. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

protecting our right to REAL, natural, organic foods

Monsanto is a group that creates genetically modified foods, sells the seeds despite dangers, sues small farmers, and so on...

A lot of information is going on about legislation that is about to be passed and we know that a lot of things that go on in government are based on lobbyists or where funding is coming from, so here's a website that shows the contributions that monsanto makes...

http://www.monsanto.com/Documents/2009-political-disclosure.pdf

I recommend everyone subscribe to the Food Democracy Now! Team because they will send you emails about legislation that is about to be passed, information on GMO and how you can help stop it and send you direct links where you can sign petitions and join in the fight to protect our food.

orange slices.

I really miss playing a hard half of soccer and then one of the moms pulling a cold bag of cut up oranges out of a cooler for us to eat at half time. Something about that was so great and refreshing.

Plus they are fun to make faces with.

then there are these nasties which i have always thought were gross, but they do remind me of my grandparents. I am glad I loved the real orange slices over these sugar slices.

love somebody.

oh my.

"Say hello to mechanically separated chicken. It’s what all fast-food chicken is made from—things like chicken nuggets and patties. Also, the processed frozen chicken in the stores is made from it.

Basically, the entire chicken is smashed and pressed through a sieve—bones, eyes, guts, and all. it comes out looking like this.

There’s more: because it’s crawling with bacteria, it will be washed with ammonia, soaked in it, actually. Then, because it tastes gross, it will be reflavored artificially. Then, because it is weirdly pink, it will be dyed with artificial color."

YUMMMMMMMM. Who doesn't want a good bite of that? so gross.

half potato half fish vegetable?

This is just one of the weird things that people have thought of testing while creating genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods are really a scary thing to me and I want everyone to learn about the dangers and just bizarreness of the whole thing as well as the corruption. Watch The Renegade Health Shows multiple videos on GM foods and go to this website and sign the petition!

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/

read and learn! but most importantly...
SIGN THE PETITIONS AND WRITE TO YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES! takes literally 20 seconds.

eating organic is super trendy...

Okay, so eating organic really is becoming a "trend" and what all the cool people are doing, but that's not the reason to eat organic. There are multitude of reasons that I could go on and on about, but that's not what this post is about.

I am talking about large food companies and corporations suddenly putting out a trendy little organic line, to go with their already popular products. For instance, sunsweet has an organic line of prunes, one that is conventional but without preservatives, their normal prunes, and then they have ones that you can buy that are individual pre-packaged in little "candy wrappers." Now, while I do like the idea of making a dried fruit your "candy," this company is sending off a multitude of ideas.

They have an organic line, which shows some concern with sustainability, but it seems more as though it is just a gimmick to make more money. Especially when they have just the opposite of sustainable when creating a product that is producing more trash than necessary with individually wrapped prunes.

Now this is just one company that I am pointing out, not to say that they are definitely using their organic line for purposes of charging more for the "trendy" item. But this seems to be more and more viable as the organic trend reaches more and more people.

So, my question to others and myself is, do we feel better about organic when the companies we are buying from may have ulterior motives for their organic line? My choices in buying organic aren't just for my health, but also the environment and sustainability. Are these companies slowly switching over to a more sustainable practice or is it just a gimmick?

These are really important questions for me to ask myself and for others to think about because there is so much more to organic than just less chemicals. My goal is to buy the most sustainable and healthy product available to me through the most sustainable and aware companies who aren't just "going green" to market better or make more money, but because they understand the need for it and want to educate others as well.

Just some food for thought...

never forget to play.

I don't mind the crisp in the air today because it's so beautifully accompanied by the sunshine; it's one of those perfect fall days.

I have been thinking a lot about being a kid and going outside and playing and how nothing could keep you from the longing to play. No amount of rain, snow, cold wind, or hot hot sun made you think twice about running around and just playing. I think it's important to always hold onto this and always have this longing to play. I just want to have a moment every day where I just play, I'm entitled to that.

...because when I think of fall I think of driving on country roads on the way to my grandparents and admiring the beautiful colors the leaves were turning.

What is your state of mind?

"You can’t solve a Problem from the same Consciousness that created the problem." -Einstein

genius.

"Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid."

-Albert Einstein

hello beautiful.

hey beautiful...

I just wanted to tell you... I just wanted to tell you that you have a beautiful soul. Did you know that?

It is time you realized how phenomenal you are. Stop getting down on yourself, and know that you deserve the best, you really do.

You know that your flesh isn't everything and that your soul carries your story and has even more to offer than you can imagine.

Do you see your talents and just how lucky you are to have so many?

I just wanted to tell you that you are beautiful and to tell you to feel that every-single-day. I don't care what your excuse might be. You are beautiful and special and worthy of everything that you want, everyday.

I appreciate that when something is hard and you want to quit, you don't. You have this passion to face the hard things head on and accomplish them with even more flawlessness than the things that come easy to you. That shows strength, that builds character; remember that.

I want to let you in on a secret...you are perfect and worthy, right now. You are always perfect because you are you. You have gotten to where you are, and at this second, that is your perfect.

Thank you for being. I love you.

marijuana for medical use...

http://www.gabrielcousens.com/SACREDSPACE/SPARKTHESOUL/GABRIELSBLOG/tabid/364/PostID/103/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Gabriel is so intelligent and I agree a lot with his article. What do you think?

bookshelves.

Usually I talk about the things I want in life as in health, happiness, peace, and just a beautiful life, but there are material things that I want too, obviously, and this is probably on the top, along with a huge tree house.

A huge beautiful and tranquil kitchen with very light walls and just a bright atmosphere with old wood and rusted tin accents. AND most importantly a very large and beautiful white book shelf full of amazing inspirational and educational books and of course harry potter...

The shelves have to be made in a really cool and creative way..something like these or maybe one that is into the wall so it is almost hidden and doesn't jut out. I love this, but I prefer a little more open space and simplicity.

and a little nook to read them in just like this..

sneaky hippos.

hey katie maness, this is for you.

slacking.

I actually have a bunch of really cool recipes and fun pictures of wild foods in my backyard, buttt I am not quite sure where my chord is to upload these bad boys so...here are some paintings i want to grab inspiration from and a yummy dressing recipe.

I have an intense collection of these, but i'll keep it to three for now.

This is a realllyyyy yummy "ranch" dressing recipe, but I am working on creating one that tastes more ranchy, so we'll see..but this one is amazing

2 heaping tbsps. tahini

4 tbsps. lemon juice

sea salt

1 clove garlic

1/2 cup olive oil (I usually use a lot less)

1/8-1/4 cup water (I usually go up on this)

basil, cilantro, pizza/italian seasoning

Gasland movie trailor....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8

a good addiction.

Buying second- hand, or what I like to call vintage clothing/jewelry/shoes is one great way to be less wasteful. It is one way that we can be more mindful of how we use materials and another way to recycle!

This is one way that I make myself feel better about my ebay addiction. I just love ebay and finding vintage jewelry or just anything. I make myself feel better about this addiction by knowing that I am re-using, which is better than going to buy something new!

vintage rings are some of my all time favorite things to look for.

I also just really enjoy finding old jewelry and then putting it back together in a new way or putting multiple things together to create a new look. You are creating new jewelry but with all recycled materials.

and he's only 11!

http://www.bewellbuzz.com/general/truth-pesticides-gmo/

watch this video, it is awesome! This 11 year old is talking about the food industry and health and he is spot on.

Timing.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I may not always be the most devoted Christian or claim to be, but I do read a bible verse every day. I'm not going to comment on religion, mine, nor yours, but I love what this says.

I received this when I was feeling down on my body and thinking things about myself that are unhealthy and I received and read this at the perfect time, just when I was needing it most. It is a great reminder of why I strive to have a clean diet, workout and sweat every day. Our bodies are temples and whether or not you want to honor God with your body, honor yourself. We cannot trade in our bodies, order a new one, pay for a new one. Sure, you can pay to reconstruct the outside of your body, but it is still the same body and it is so important to take care of it. Love your body right now and nourish and give to it now by eating well and exercising. Don't just do it to look good for other people or even yourself. Do it as a treat for your body and see it as a gift.

talk less, say more..

Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine

less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love

more, and all good things will be yours. –Swedish Proverb

one yummy and one inspiring...emails i received today.

Thank you for being the person who makes a difference. Thank you for wanting to be the best you ever. Thank you for rippling. Thank you for being. Thank you.

Shazzie Speaks 2.0

Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
Recipe from IIN grad Terry Walter's Clean Food cookbook
Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 3-4 sweet potatoes or yams
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• Coarse sea salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash potatoes and remove blemish spots and dried ends. Slice into sticks and place in large bowl. Drizzle on remaining ingredients and toss to distribute evenly. Spread coated potatoes in single layer on cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, flip slices and bake another 10-20 minutes or until tender and browned (cooking time will vary depending on thickness of potato slices). Serve hot & enjoy!

via; integrative nutrition

always need to think this way.

Just for today, don't compare yourself to anyone else, don't try to be like anyone else; just be the best you that you can be!

Forget past recriminations and future goals, or who you think you should be. Just live fully as who you are right now, accepting who you are right now, acknowledging who you are right now.

Just for today, totally enjoy being you, and living the reality you are in now. Accept the life that you find yourself in right now. Totally live in to being you. Relish it. Feel it. Squeeze it. Totally gork it.

Just for today, every day!

via: www.thegardendiet.com

Monkey Bars...

Today as part of my workout I spent an hour at a park, Camelot Park. I used to have soccer practice here when I was a little nugget and I saw some new little nuggets practicing there tonight.

I got out of class early so I wanted to spend the beautiful day outside before I went in to the gym and deciding to run and walk to the park and then run around the soccer fields, do some yoga in the grass, and also play in the park...play on the monkey bars, jump around and off the fun stairs and ropes.

what a great day, what a great work out...next time i'm taking my soccer ball.

these photos are old....i'm not wearing these clothes in this warm and lovely weather hah.

tube socks.

There's just something about them, don't ya think?

I miss wearing my soccer socks with adidas sandals after games about as much as I miss soccer, so I just do it sometimes to rekindle my soccer memories.

sit somewhere new.

Isn't it bizarre how we always look for the closest parking spaces, even at the gym? Ironic.

Isn't it odd that even when we don't have assigned seats in a class, we go to the same seat every day? Isn't it odd that if we find someone sitting in our usual seat we are confused and don't know what to do and think, hey, that's my seat. What makes that seat our property or our place?

It's just very strange to me that as humans we are so set in our ways or just need consistency. Whenever I park in a different area of the parking lot at the gym, it just feels weird, I feel slightly disoriented, why? I always choose to go the same seat without even thinking about it and don't know what to do if someone else has chosen "my" seat.

Just something I've been thinking about and been trying to stray from. I've been trying to sit in different areas, drive a different way to the store, park in different areas, hang out in different areas of my house, just be somewhere different and do something different, I think it's very stimulating for the mind.

GO GERMANY!

Germany has banned GMO corn crops!

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,618913,00.html

awe inspiring...

This is an amazing and truly inspirational story. READ!

Mark Lilly; Farm to Family- The Beginning

"People think of a bus as transportation," said Zane Kesey, son of Ken Kesey, when speaking of his father's 1960s odyssey cross-country in a magic school bus. He continued, "No. It's a platform, a way to get your messages across."

"Furthur," the bus that was named from the combination of further and future, led a revolution in the early 60s and changed the consciousness of future generations. If we're lucky, we eventually find our "furthur" destiny. We eventually find that job, that cause, that passion, that fills our life with joy and satisfaction.

I did just that in June of 2009 and founded Farm to Family. The "Veggie Bus," as folks have nicknamed it, is a means of transporting food for the people, but in itself, is a vehicle that creates awareness and a way of life. I know it's changed lives, because people tell me that it has. It's changed mine, and there has been no looking back since the day I started.

I'm lucky to have found my destiny. After stints in the Marines and Army, college and traveling, after 20 years working in the food industry and getting no real fulfillment from it, I decided that I needed to let the universe know that I wasn't happy and needed a change. That change finally came after losing my job in May 2009 and with my recent studies at the University of Richmond in disaster science I was primed, and empowered to start my vision. I started Farm to Family. The idea is simple and direct. I will tell you without hesitation, it can help change the world for the better. Conceptually, I've created a perfect local, sustainable food distribution system that can penetrate any demographic area in any city or town with nutritious, tasty, organic, local food. At the same time, I'm educating people on how it will benefit their health and support their community. I also tell how best to prepare what they purchase and how to make themselves and their family more food secure. And I do it all from an old 1987 school bus that I bought for $3,500 off Craigslist.com. I retrofitted it with reclaimed lumber from an old barn, added bushel baskets, burlap, and chicken wire and created a mobile farmers market with a country store theme.

I source local products from family, friends or anyone that grows clean food within a 150-mile radius of where I am located in Richmond, VA. I build relationships with local farmers, drive to their farm, load up the bus, and then distribute it into the urban landscape through set routes. I post where I'm going to be, and what I have on the bus, and sometimes a photo on Twitter and Facebook, and then my shoppers come running. Literally. One girl fell and hurt herself running to catch the bus. So I decided she needed a house call.

There are other times I do house calls. We had some pretty bad snowstorms this past winter in Richmond. Everyone was snowbound. But the Veggie Bus has massive snow tires, so off I went powering through the snowdrifts. Neighborhoods would join forces, neighbors would call each other, call me, the post would go on Facebook, and then fresh produce would arrive at their doorstep, in the middle of the blizzard. I would drive up and everyone would come piling out of the houses in their snow boots. The kids would play store on the bus, taking turns weighing produce, and pretending to drive. Everyone would be excited and giddy. And dinner would be delicious, fresh, organic and local.

I also take food stamps, allowing low-income families and seniors, who may otherwise not have access, to buy fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables. I also visit schools with the bus, bring small farm animals like chickens and rabbits, hand out free seeds, and teach children about real food. They learn what it is looks and feels like in its natural, fresh from the farm form, and why it's important they get involved and learn to make wiser choices.

My journey on the bus has just begun, and I eagerly wait every day to see what fresh insight and "furthur" adventures it will bring me, and the people I encounter on my magic "Veggie Bus."

article is from The Huffington Post