Yesterday, I received this email from Jeffrey Smith. He is the Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology. Last year, October was established as the first Non-GMO Month with the intention of becoming an annual event that would gain momentum, raise awareness, and effect change. The movement has grown over the past year. Although there is still much to be done to bring about the desired result of a tipping point away from the consumption of GMO’s, what has already transpired in one year’s time reflects how much we can each do to create awareness and gain participation as a global community. Please read Jeffrey’s email, follow the links, and get involved. We can make a difference, and our voices can and will be heard!

On January 20th Pamm Larry had an epiphany, as she calls it. Why not have a GMO labeling law on the November 2012 ballot in California? She did her research, put a website together, and “came out” on March 20—as a single voice with a big idea. Within six months, there were about 70 state leaders – holding events, showing films, recruiting support, and creating the framework for what may become the pivotal vote to usher GMOs out of our food supply.

Jeffrey Smith
Director
Institute for Responsible Technology

In our four-family household, second only to our house payment expense is the cost of our food, including meals out. Outside dining represents about 15%-20% of our monthly food expenditures. In doing some research, I found that our household falls into the minority for how the average American home spends its food dollars.

Most people assume that it will require a lot of extra money to eat an organic, whole foods diet. In addition to costing more, many assume it will be more difficult (i.e., less convenient) to eat in a healthier way. Through my own experience, I’ve learned it’s not only easy to eat an organic, whole foods, healthy diet, but it’s also possible to do it on a budget.

One area to take a look at is where your food dollars have been going thus far. If you don’t already do so, plan to save your receipts from groceries and eating out for a few weeks. This will give you the necessary data to help you begin making plans for the future of your food expenditures. First, it will allow you to see what your buying patterns have been up to now. For instance, are you one of the less than 30% of Americans who tends to buy fresh food to cook and eat at home—with an occasional meal out—or do you fall into the majority who are spending nearly half of their food dollars on restaurants and fast food? There’s even a small percentage of our population who spend more than a third of their food budget on alcohol!

Once you know where you stand, you can begin to make your food dollars stretch further, which will include what you buy, how you eat, and what you drink. As you consider strategies to incorporate, remember that you don’t have to do everything all at once. The goal is to create permanent lifestyle changes. You’re more likely to stick to those lifestyle changes if you’ve had a chance to adopt and incorporate them a little at a time and then get comfortable with those changes before adding more. There are really three paths to follow: develop a food-efficient diet, keep a food-efficient kitchen, and spend your food dollars as wisely as possible. Hopefully, you’ll find that not only are these changes enjoyable and good for your wallet, but they can also maximize the flavor and nutrition of the food you’re eating.

There are five main principles to follow which will help you develop a food-efficient diet. In the weeks to come, I’ll elaborate on those principles as well as all three paths to follow. I intend to provide tips and strategies so you can s-t-r-e-t-c-h your food dollars while enriching your diet.

In the meantime, this might be a good week to take a look at your past spending. Remember to separate food at home from outside dining. Be sure to also include those little extras, such as drive-through coffee or stops for an after-school ice cream or smoothie.

Good luck!

Saturday, March 26th at 8:30 PM local time is Earth Hour. Sixty minutes of lights out circling the globe. A worldwide collective display of commitment to protect the one thing that unites us all–the planet!

The following comes from earthhour.org. “Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

Earth Hour is organized by WWF. With almost 5 million supporters and a global network in over 100 countries/territories, it’s one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.”

Will you join in this worldwide celebration this year? Here are some ideas for participating: A candlelit evening (this year our 28th wedding anniversary falls on Earth Hour so now we have two reasons for a romantic candlelit evening). A time to share spooky stories in the dark. Maybe a time to go outside and share a community bonfire. How might you enjoy the evening and join the world in sharing our oneness?

And then at 9:30 PM and beyond, how might you continue to help the Earth? One action we’ve taken in our family is to keep outside lights off unless we’re expecting guests. We also make sure appliances not in use are unplugged. This year, I plan to use only my electric tea kettle to heat water. The water warms up quicker and less energy is expended than when we heat water on the stove. What might you change in your daily life that will benefit the planet? Share your ideas here and at WWF.

Every small action counts. And our actions do add up. By working together we can create a better future.

Tuesday, March 8th, was the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. During Women’s History Month, we continue to celebrate and acknowledge women–past, present, and future–and our power to make a difference in our world. One way we have the opportunity to have an impact is as conscious consumers. Did you know that more than 80% of what is purchased in the U.S. is done by women and the remaining 20% is also influenced by us? We have the power to effect where our dollars are spent and what we support.

Here are two ways we women can make a difference and/or influence others in our lives:

1. Protest products.

Sharon Cummings stated in a recent care2.com article, “The duty of deciding what goes down in the kitchen is often times held by women in our families; therefore, women have the opportunity to choose healthy foods and make conscious dietary decisions. Although many markets deliberately overwhelm you with tempting choices, the products you bring home to your house deserve more reflection than their convenience factor, and even what their label reads. Pay attention to where your food is coming from–the process that it took to get to your grocery store, the factory that likely produced it, the animals that may have been harmed in making it, the company’s values, the environmental footprint it leaves in its wake.

Although we have immense choice in our food products, we should focus on buying foods that are karmically clean, choosing local and organic products and produce, and steering away from meat and dairy when possible. As you educate yourself to make the best decision for the health of your family and the planet, do not be afraid to protest products and encourage your friends to do so too. Many successful boycotts and protests are driven by women; such as the original environmentalista, Rachel Carson’s call to action in Silent Spring; or, more recently, Stacy Malkan leading the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. It is up to us to make the most educated decisions that feed our families and nurture our homes and our bodies.

2. Support Local.

Small farms have been dwindling and more are joining those ranks each day. We have the power to turn the tides by supporting local farms and helping them thrive once again. It’s a win-win for everyone since we consumers benefit from eating freshly picked, local produce filled with all the original vitamins and nutrients that otherwise get lost in the process of early picking and lengthy transporting around our nation or even internationally. This cuts down on gas emissions, especially food that is transported by air, which releases tons of global warming emissions. Whenever possible, eat fresh fruits and vegetables when they are in season in your area or region and support sustainable agriculture.

What is sustainable agriculture? The University of California’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program states: “Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals–-environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.” For local farmers and growers, this means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations, along with responsible stewardship of natural and human resources.

One source for locating local farmers and growers, community supported agriculture (CSA) programs or local farmers’ markets is Local Harvest. Through this website, you can identify growers and local farmers’ markets in your area. March is a great time to contact local farms or CSAs as they are preparing for the upcoming planting season. Many offer the opportunity to buy in, which provides you with food throughout the upcoming spring/summer/fall season while providing them with “seed money” to plant their crops.

TIME Magazine named collaborative consumption one of the top 10 green stories of 2010, calling it “one of the most heartening environmental trends.” This video gives you a quick overview of exactly what collaborative consumption is:

WHAT’S MINE IS YOURS from rachel botsman on Vimeo.

The days of knocking on your neighbor’s door to borrow a cup of sugar may be mostly a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean sharing needs to be out of style. With our modern world and modern technology, borrowing and sharing is taking on a high-tech twist and if you’re not yet using any of these resources, now is a great time to get involved.

Websites that connect people who are interested in sharing, borrowing, trading, and bartering their stuff instead of buying new are on the rise. Collaborative consumption is driven by a few factors: cost (it’s generally cheaper to rent than buy), connecting (sharing is a social activity), and, of course, the environment. If you only need to paint your house every ten years, why waste the earth’s resources (not to mention your own) on a new paint sprayer? Many of us dream of second homes, but is it really necessary to build one? Why not make use of the homes that others already own to take that much-needed time away? By doing so, we’re using and enjoying what already exists rather than creating MORE and we’re helping to support the maintenance of a home that may just be sitting there.

Airbnb: Are you looking for somewhere to stay? Accommodations in more than 8,200 cities in 168 countries are represented at Airbnb, which connects travelers who need a place to crash with residents who have space to offer. Houses and apartments make up the bulk of the selection, but more unusual offerings like yurts and treehouses can also be found.

B-cycle: Bikes are a great (and green) way to get from one place to another, but they can also be inconvenient–what if you only need two wheels for one leg of your journey? B-cycle offers a solution, setting up stations where members can pick up and drop off a bike. The service is currently in Chicago, Denver, Des Moines, Louisville, and San Antonio.

Chegg: Most college students are shocked that first semester when the textbook bill comes in. Instead of having to spend hefty sums of money on those extra-heavy books, Chegg allows students to rent their textbooks and even plants a tree every time a book is checked out.

SnapGoods: Need a tent for a camping trip? A set of tools for a home improvement project? A Kindle to see if reading on a tablet really is as good as picking up a book? If you want to try something out, someone near you probably has it–SnapGoods plays matchmaker for the two of you.

SwapBabyGoods.com: Babies are expensive. They also grow fast. An outfit may only get one wear, toys may be outgrown after a short time, and sometimes well-meaning family and friends load you up on something you already have plenty of. One parent’s trash is another parent’s treasure–see what you can swap at this niche site.

VRBO: This is another great site for sharing the wealth! People who own or manage rental properties share their properties in many places around the world. Over 150,000 homes are listed on this site in more than 100 countries worldwide.

These are just a few of the growing number of online resources out there. Start browsing the web and become a collaborative consumer! It’s a win-win for everyone including Mother Earth!

For more information on collaborative consumption, read “What’s Mine Is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption,” by Rachel Botsman and Roo Rogers.

I received an email this week about the continuing rainforest destruction in Indonesia. One of the big contributors to its destruction is the printing of children’s books. To explain the issue and provide ways you can help, I am posting here information from RAN’s website. This information was published in 2010 prior to the holiday season and is still just as relevant.

“Did you know that some of the books you buy could be contributing to Indonesian rainforest destruction?

* Read the full report: Rainforest-Safe Kids’ Books: How do Publishers Stack Up?
* For a list of rainforest-safe books, visit www.ran.org/readinglist.”

Yesterday, the USDA approved Monsanto’s genetically engineered alfalfa seed. It will be planted this spring unless we take action to convince President Obama to stop this. Yesterday, I received two emails from Food & Water Watch urging action–to send a letter and to make a call to President Obama. President Obama is the only one who can stop the widespread planting of Monsanto’s GE alfalfa. Last night, I sent off an electronic letter. This morning I am calling the White House.

As much as I didn’t intend to have my blog become political, I cannot stay silent on issues such as this one–one that has immediate and future detrimental effects for everyone. Please send a letter by going to this link, and follow it up with a phone call to the White House.

Although yesterday’s news is disheartening, we cannot give up. Actions to stop the introduction of genetically engineered crops and food have been stopped before. TODAY, we are ALL needed to act again! If genetically engineered alfalfa is introduced this spring, there are many ramifications, including the risk to the continuation of organically certified dairy because of crop contamination. No matter what steps are taken to keep the GE crops separate (if any actions are taken at all), we have no control over the winds nor the winged creatures who spread seeds and pollination.

Please take a stand with me today for our own health and the health of our children and future generations. We already know there are dangerous effects from GE crops, but we don’t yet know the far-reaching impact. Please take action so that we and our children are not the testing sites for this grand experiment and manipulation of nature!

I often hear people–including my own family and friends–say they can’t afford to eat organic food. This video contains a few tips on how you can begin incorporating more organic foods in your diet. There are other videos on various related topics linked to this featured one–feel free to watch any that interest you.

Next week, I’ll post other ideas for eating a healthier diet on a budget along with some of the reasons why it’s important. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your ideas on ways to eat healthy without breaking the bank.

I just listened to another incredible interview in the Social Entrepreneur Empowerment Series. This is a FREE tele-training event occurring in January and February. The series includes 39 amazing presenters from all different walks of life, including Van Jones, Lynne Twist, Drew Dellinger, Marianne Williamson, John Robbins, Julia Butterfly Hill, and many others. You can click on this link to sign up for FREE: Social Empowerment Series.

You have the option of calling in to listen to the interviews at their scheduled times or to listen at your convenience through the webcasts. From January 11-20, the speakers of Wave 1 will inspire you. From February 8-17, Wave 2 will empower you.

Here is an excerpt from the Social Entrepreneur Empowerment website:

“Our world is facing numerous economic, social, and environmental crises. Now more than ever the world needs you to manifest your full potential in service to mankind.

Our expert speakers are masters of the business practices, marketing methods, structures, and systems every business owner needs to thrive in this economy. Individually, each speaker is deeply inspiring. Together, they offer a holistic model for reaching more people, making a bigger difference, and prospering financially.”

This truly is a great opportunity. If you go to this link now, you have the whole weekend to listen to any or all of the webcasts from this past week. Then you’ll be ready to join in with next week’s speakers.

The social entrepreneur–with a focus on the triple bottom line of people, profit and planet–truly is the hope for the healing of ourselves and our planet.

This week, I received an email from Food & Water Watch asking me to send a letter to President Obama urging him to stop what the U. S. Department of Agriculture is about to do: approve Monsanto’s genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa, despite the fact that it’s likely to contaminate other crops, including organic alfalfa. If this is approved, organic dairies and our ability to choose organic dairy will be impacted. Organic dairies need organic alfalfa as feed for their cows, and organic standards don’t allow the use of GE crops. Contamination of organic crops from GE crops can destroy markets for organic farmers.

Contamination is a real threat–all it takes is for the wind to blow GE seeds or for the seeds in a GE-seed laden truck to blow out onto organic or non-GE lands and those organic or non-GE crops are contaminated. Birds take the seeds and drop them non-discriminately across croplands. Plants can be impacted through pollination. You get the picture. It’s virtually impossible to keep organic lands pure if GE crops are being grown in the vicinity.

The USDA tried to approve GE alfalfa before and the decision was challenged all the way up to the Supreme Court, which made the agency re-assess the environmental impact GE alfalfa could have on the environment. Now the USDA has rushed through this process because big agribusiness wants to be allowed to plant GE alfalfa this spring.

This is a real threat today. I have sent a letter to President Obama urging him to stop the approval of GE alfalfa. I used the letter prepared by Food & Water Watch and then voluntarily added my own comments at the end. Today I ask you to join me and take a stand. You can go to this link to participate.

The mission of Food & Water Watch, as stated on their website, is as follows: “Food & Water Watch works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainable. So we can all enjoy and trust in what we eat and drink, we help people take charge of where their food comes from, keep clean, affordable, public tap water flowing freely to our homes, protect the environmental quality of oceans, force government to do its job protecting citizens, and educate about the importance of keeping shared resources under public control.”

The work of Food & Water Watch, as stated on their website, is the following:

“Food & Water Watch is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 that advocates for common sense policies that will result in healthy, safe food and access to safe and affordable drinking water. Everyone is dependent on shared resources like clean water, safe food and healthy oceans. It’s essential that these shared resources be regulated in the public interest rather than for private gain.

Fish: We promote policies that maintain the environmental quality of the ocean and its resources. As an important source of food, it is important not to misuse it by creating massive factory fish farms, operating dangerous oil platforms or creating policies that lead to the privatization of ocean resources.”

Please also join me today by getting on their mailing list to stay abreast of what is happening and stand up for our health and the health of our planet. Go to Food & Water Watch to sign up.

I want to continue to eat organic foods. I want to continue to support organic farming. I want to continue to have access to fresh, clean water, and I want to see others throughout the world have that same access. I also want to see the oceans, waterways, and the fish we consume protected. How about you?