Deconstructing Supper

Just finished watching this short documentary about a restaurant owner going from not knowing what GMO's are to an all organic restaurant called Deconstructing Supper.  It was absolutely wonderful to see his transformation of not even knowing what a GMO is to becoming an all organic restaurant by the end of the documentary.  He went on his educational trek really making an effort to understand both sides from bioengineering to sustainable farming.

Check out this short film about the food you bring to your table for your family or at the diner.  You will walk away feeling a little more informed and ready to make a change.

~Deanne

1 step forward....several steps backward

yes this illegal dump is near a school

Typically I am a glass half full idealist type, but lately I feel like getting people aware that their actions have consequences on the environment which will impact our health is a losing battle. 

Don't worry this is a temporary feeling....I will be back to my normal environmental tree-hugging hemp wearing Goodwill shopping self. 

Recently I was out with my son and dogs when we walked upon this lovely open field to run and play in!  Until we were faced with this dump, not a legal dump but apparently the place for every person driving by to just dump their trash. 

The things we have found are: construction trash, automobile trash, household items including furniture and a hot tub plus of course landscaping waste.  There are environmental hazards in this illegal dumping trash, potential fire hazards and lurking in this waste that is growing every day are newly formed very aggressive colonies of bees.  They do  not appear to me to be honey making bees and thankfully me and my son saw them before we were too close for comfort.

The two pictures to the right shows how it grows after every weekend and is growing out into the road, a narrow road in fact!

lots of construction waste!

Of course tires, it wouldn't be a dump without them!

 Even a hot tub and concrete tubes make it to this location.

 Pictures above and to the left, are batteries, auto parts and plastic containers, none of which are biodegradable.

This could have been donated, but now it is beyond that ability unless you are a master upholsterer.

Now the frustrating thing is twofold; I am frustrated that people and/or companies think this is okay to dump anything they want anywhere they want and that I have contacted the city and county with nothing done thus far to rectify this problem. 

I wonder if the people who are dumping this trash would be happy if I just back my vehicle up to their yard and dump waste all over their yard and driveway.  I just do not understand people why anyone thinks this is okay.  Many of the items my son and I found are recyclable, there were items that could have gone to Goodwill or charity.  But no, people are too lazy, to self absorbed to think of anything outside of their own convenience or themselves.

If I was to take pictures of the entire vacant property that is located on a dirt road where there are no street lights, near a farm, by a new residential developement, near a school. ...this post would be ridiculously long.  When you walk further in you will find little burn areas where people are making "campfires", you will also find shotgun shells, large porch umbrellas, doors and many people ride their 4 wheelers and motorcycles. 

We all need to care, we all need to be responsible for our actions because the have consequences that impact us all!

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

                                 Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

~Deanne

Domestic Violence

I realize my last few posts including this post, has focused on more social issues than environmental issues and green DIY's.  However as my blog description states I am, "Eco-obsessed….socially conscious with a splash of politics now and then!"

There are many issues close to my heart not just the environment, Domestic Violence being one of those issues.  Maybe it is because I was a victim of this crime or maybe because I have seen too many women abused and killed because of it.  Whatever the reason, it is on my mind this month and wish to discuss some warning signs.

Let me give you some background history.  All of my adult relationships since about age 19 or so, have been abusive in one form or another.  Each man I dated were abusive in some varying degree, some verbal, some physical, some emotional, some sexual and some purely controlling.  My last relationship being the worst and a combination of all of the above!  It was like all the men leading up to him was a practice run breaking me down little by little preparing the way for him. 

I went back many times to my last relationship, he had me completely broken believing it was my fault and I deserved every last abusive altercation.  I lost all contact with friends and family because he made me believed they were holding me back, they were against me growing and becoming successful and that they were against us.  I still have not recovered many of those friendships and family relationships.  I lost jobs because of his behavior, he would call my work constantly harassing my co-workers wanting to know where I am or accusing them of having an affair with me.

I would love to say some words of wisdom why it happened to me.  It would be easy to blame my parents, blame the kids at school for always teasing me and bullying me.  I can't say for sure with 100% certainty why I was attracted to this type of man or why this type of man sought me out.  All I know is this.....

I never believed it could happen to me, I was/am confident, strong, out-spoken woman and fully aware of the signs of abusive men by examples I have witnessed in my life leading up to my first abusive relationship.  I truly believed I would be able to spot an abusive man....nope, I sure didn't!  I can now that is for sure...I can spot an abusive man before he says hello and he doesn't even have to be someone I am involved with.  I digress...

Please take a look at the signs and symptoms of what abuse could look like.  If you are in an abusive relationship seek help, if you are a friend of someone whom you suspect is in an abusive relationship seek help on how to help her/him.

This is written with the man as the abuser because that is my experience but abusers can certainly be women, parents, teachers..etc.

Here are some typical signs:

• He controls and monitors all contacts with other individuals including family.
• He begins to slowly and systematically cut you off from family and friends.
• He will begin to say know one loves you or knows you better than himself.
• He refers to you as property or an object instead of a person.
• He criticizes you and puts you down primarily when you are alone but on occasion in front of others.
• He blames you for the abuse: "if you just behave or do what I say this wouldn't happen".
• He does not allow you to go out alone.
• He questions every detail of your day.
• He is excessively jealous or possessive.
• He limits your access to money and/or care.
• He limits the amount of communication you have with anyone including friends and family.
• He threatens to kill you or your children if you leave or tell anyone.
• He threatens to kill himself if you leave or tell anyone.
• He destroys your belongings.
• He threatens to take your children away and keep them from you.
• He apologizes nearly every time swearing he will never do it again followed by gifts and long periods of bliss...this is called the honeymoon period.

Here are some signs and symptoms you maybe having:

• You feel afraid of this person much of the time.
• He forces you to have sex.
• You avoid certain topics in fear of getting him angry.
• You wonder if you are the one that is crazy or if you are the cause.
• You feel numb or helpless.
• You feel like you cannot do a single thing right for him.
• You feel his has a bad temper or unpredictable temper.
• You wear clothes to hid your figure or hide marks left by your abuser.

Things you can do:

• Call 911
• Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• Domestic Violence Organization
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
• Searching on computers that he has access to can and will be dangerous even if you clean out the history.  He will become aggressive and/or violent if you cannot answer why there is not history on the computer.  So find a friend or library or work (if you work) place to search. 
• Work can be another resource, they often have resources through your human resources.
• Leave: hide get away money, clothes etc and just leave.
• Let someone you know and trust what is happening.
• If you have Facebook: remove him from friends list and remove mutual friends that may tell him things you are posting.  Put your entire Facebook page on friends only do not allow anyone that you do not know really well and trust to see anything on your FacebookFoursquare. THIS IS FOR YOUR SAFETY!!!
• Find a local Domestic Violence shelter they will have a lot of resources for you to get safe, get independent, possibly housing, possibly legal assistance and for sure counseling.  Believe me, the counseling will be needed even if you think you do not need it, remember you thought you would never be abused so all assumptions are out the window.

Above all, don't feel ashamed or embarrassed.  It happened and it has happened to the best of us and to many of us.  Get out....Get help!  Your life and your kids life (if you have any) are important, you are worth it! 

~Deanne

Jazzy Vegetarian



I have been watching more and more PBS programming as of late.  I do not use cable or direct TV to receive programming because I see it as a waste of money.....so many channels no real content.  Well regular network programming has seemed to become much of the same, all contest, competition and reality shows too.  So back to good ol' PBS!

I happened to fall upon a time slot one evening and found this fantastic little cooking show Jazzy Vegetarian.  Now weather you are a vegetarian, hard core vegan or a meat eater this show will help you enjoy making delicious alternatives to your everyday carnivore centered meal.  Even if you decide that you are just incorporating one day or two days or even maybe three days a week to a healthier side of cooking this is the place to stop. 

Of course the day I happened to find her programming it was all about Chocolate!! My all time fav!  What a show that day...yummy!  Her recipes are easy to follow and easy to make at home.  No big time production with a ton of steps involved...even the most hard core meat eater would enjoy it!

Check it out on PBS...here is the link and find your local station times.

Of course here is her website Jazzy Vegetarian.

Check it out...you will be pleased I assure you.

~Deanne

Diabetes...Paula Deen

 We have heard a lot about Diabetes in the news lately due the news that Paula Deen, best known for high fat butter laden recipes, is diabetic.  It comes to no surprise to most of us, what was a surprise is the fact she did not announce it, she does not attribute it to her cooking and she announced on the day her commercials were released promoting a Diabetes Drug.  She could have announced this news even earlier, weeks earlier when she appeared on Dr. Oz to reveal a secret.  She has been a smoker.  She could have also told at that time she is Diabetic, remind you this was just a few weeks prior to her announcement of behind Diabetic. 

I am not angry, disgusted or sad at her decision to release this information on the same day of her ads for this drug.  Paula only cooks as she was taught to cook, I imagine.  I am sad that she claims she has always expressed to have her food in "moderation".  Now, I have enjoyed many of her shows because she is a hoot however at no time have I ever heard her say on any of her programs or guest appearances on daytime shows has she ever said moderation.  In fact she has always said "oh that needs more butter", or "that needs more cream".  She seems to have only given up her sweet tea. 

Ironically, just weeks before her revealing this news her son comes out with his show where he turns her food into healthier, diabetic friendly versions of her food.  It seems this was all in preparation for her news as if it is someway to lessen the importance that her cooking style has no bearing for her health condition.

 I just believe that is not responsible to her fans, to people suffering from diabetes and to herself.   There are many other resources that have offered to help Paula Deen such as Food Matters and PCRM who wrote an article pleading to help.  I am surprised she referenced Dr. Oz as someone who is helping her because he would never recommend her current dietary choices to remain intact. 

It is just sad because Diabetes is one of our society's enormous problems that is costly to all of us who pay health premiums.  As diabetes, obesity and heart disease rise so do our health costs including our health insurance costs even if you are a healthy individual you are paying for those who have these issues caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.  Yes there are those who contract these diseases from genetics but most of these diseases are contracted by what we eat.

People that are famous from television, films, or sport whether they like it or not are a role model to the very people who follow their activities.  Yes I have my own mind to make my own choices, however it is not responsible to claim her cooking style has no bearing on her diabetes when there is enough medical and scientific evidence on the contrary.

I enjoy Paula Deen and her sons, I just hope she seeks alternative assistance and looks at her food choices.  She could really impact a lot of people if she did. 

Diabetes is a chronic disease where the body can no longer regulate glucose within normal limits then glucose levels become dangerously high.

Left untreated:  blindness, seizures, stroke, kidney failure, nerve disease and cardiovascular disease. 

Type 1 Diabetes

What is it? - it is where the body can no longer produce enough insulin.  People with type 1 diabetes eat a meal and their blood glucose rises but then the pancreas cannot secrete insulin in response.  As a result the blood glucose levels soar. Mostly diagnosed between age 10 - 14 and has genetic link, only known treatment is pill or injections.

Type 2 Diabetes

What is it? - it is where the body becomes resistant or less responsive to insulin.  This type of diabetes it is progressive, meaning it develops over time.  Obesity is the most common trigger as well as sedentary lifestyle, age and poor eating habits (high fat, highly processed foods). 

We cannot do anything about getting older or genetics but we certainly have control over the other risks such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and poor eating habits.

Food for thought (pune intended)...

~Deanne

*Paula Image from Google Images