Skip to main content

garden kittens and something important

foxy roxy garden princess

zae bug - DISCLAIMER these adorable kittens have nothing to do with the below post. Thank you.

I don't usually write about things outside of myself, my world, things I cannot control. It's not that I have no opinions on this crazy world we live in, just that I feel it's too draining to focus on those things. The world is overflowing with tragedy and conspiracy. I can easily become overwhelmed by caring too much for others, for distant disasters and chaos. It makes me a happier, healthier person to focus my energies on my real life, the physical and mental chaos I face on a daily basis (which truthfully isn't that chaotic, on purpose.)

Today, I am going to do something different.

I want to spend a few minutes writing about a big corporate monster, conspiracies, chaos, tragedy, and all of those things, but in a way that directly affects me. It affects you too, and you may not realize how much.

Some of you may know all about this, some of you may have no idea, and I think there's a good chance some of you have heard the terms and names in the news or media but aren't exactly sure what it all means. I'm talking about GMO's- genetically modified organisms, and the Monsanto corporation. Genetically modified organisms are essentially seeds that have been altered to obtain a desirable trait, most frequently the ability to withstand certain chemicals used in herbicides and pesticides. They are making seeds that can survive being sprayed with chemicals like Roundup, which kills everything else it touches. There is significant research to show that the GMO's and the chemicals being sprayed on them are BOTH toxic and connected to tons of health problems, such as Parkinson's and cancer. Monsanto started as a chemical company(RoundUp), then became an agricultural company buying up seed stores (they even own a bunch of organic companies.) They grow all the seeds, own the pesticide company, and from there the sketchiness just never ends, from patenting of seeds and restricting anyone from saving those seeds (suing FARMERS for saving their OWN SEEDS to plant the next season,) to executive level employees going on to regulate government offices in the FDA, EPA, etc. The biggest crops grown by Monsanto are corn (nearly 60% of which goes to feed beef cattle, and more goes towards corn syrup which is in every processed food you eat,) soybeans and cotton. Monsanto controls everything- and that's bad. They market products that are proven to be harmful and pay the government to give it a safety stamp. They spread their GMO seeds so far that century old farms are sued for growing them, despite any knowledge by the farmers. I'm not doing nearly a good enough job of explaining how big and bad these people are, there just aren't the right words. 

The important part:
The only thing you can do to avoid Monsanto controlling your life is know where your food comes from.
I read on another blog, "you have to know every ingredient of every bite."
That seems really hard- but starting is easy. Just go to the farmers market. Grow a garden.
Be thoughtful about what you eat.

Until next time,
Angela Kelly

Links to more information about Monsanto, RoundUp, GMO's, and other important stuff.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

puppy play date

Yesterday Trilli got to have a puppy play date with her best friend, Oreo, and a new boyfriend, Yeti. Everyone in our group has a dog or two, so socializing them is essential. With several large breeds covered in our pack, they can be a bit much at first. Oreo (the pit bull) is quick like lighting, nudging the others with her nose and batting her paws. Trilli (husky and lab) loves to play but has the biggest mouth, constantly barking. We're working on that. Yeti is a basset hound and great Pyrenees mix, still growing and just beautiful. He got along with the girls wonderfully, outside taking turns pouncing on each of them. It's great to watch a pack of dogs together, it's so natural for them, their own kind; friends.  Hopefully next time I'll remember to bring my camera! Until next time, Angela Kelly

a new project

I stumbled upon a website last week about low impact woodland homes, essentially: hobbit houses. Dug into a hillside and covered with earth to create an efficient and beautiful house. They are made with roundwood framing, using oak trees left whole as the timbers. Straw bales are used for insulation in the walls and under the floor. They used a natural lime plaster on the walls, recycled materials for everything possible, thrifted doors and windows. All together this husband/father and his father in law built a house for under $4000 in about four months.  I have been blown away by the ideas and resources available on the subject. We have spent hours already discussing the outbuildings we will need in the future, such as barns, root cellars, storage sheds, animal shelters, and well we could definitely use a few cabins around. If we can utilize the materials around us in this way, it's possible for us to create an incredible farm, beautiful, efficient, and sustainable....

Justin and Savannah's Wedding - The Reception

The ceremony was simple and sweet, and the reception was the perfect party. A band on the porch, delicious food and drinks, cake and dancing. It was an epic night for everyone involved.   Until next time, Angela Kelly