Maya Angelou - Still I Rise

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I’ll rise.

Memorial Day 2014

In recent years the day’s meaning has often been lost in the holiday atmosphere of an early summer’s three-day weekend. 

But I do not think this will be one of these years, for the Veterans Administration scandal has legs and this one (of so many administration scandals) cannot be swept under the rug. 

Every Memorial Service will remind those who care — and most of us still do — that their government is often managed by callous bureaucrats who seriously, even fatally, withheld medical care for those to whom we owe an eternal debt. 

It touches so many families and reminds those of us not still in the Woodstock cannabis haze the dangers of putting important functions in the hands of a government without workable checks, a diligent honest press, and honorable officeholders.

The Sacred Responsibility Of Mothers

A Mother's Proclamation:

"Mothers have a sacred duty to raise their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe all Universal Laws and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live."

Every woman who bears a child thus has a sacred responsibility to provide loving nurturance so that a child can develop toward his or her highest potential.

While both mothers and fathers are essential to a child's healthy development, this article centers on the contribution and responsibility of mothers.

Biologically, mothers have been given the hallowed opportunity to bear children.  Because they nurture the developing child in their own bodies, they almost always feel a compelling drive to protect the new, entirely dependent life they've given birth to.  

Most mothers also feel inherent motivation to comfort and guide their child.

March Against Monsanto - Worldwide 5.24.2014

On May 24, millions of activists from around the world will once again March Against Monsanto, calling for the permanent boycott of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and other harmful agro-chemicals. Currently, marches will occur on six continents, in 52 countries,with events in over 400 cities. In the US, solidarity marches are slated to occur in 47 states. 

Tami Monroe Canal, founder of March Against Monsanto (MAM), was inspired to start the movement to protect her two daughters.

 “Monsanto’s predatory business and corporate agricultural practices threatens their generation’s health, fertility and longevity. MAM supports a sustainable food production system. We must act now to stop GMOs and harmful pesticides.”

Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Starbucks

As a health conscious, socially and environmentally-concerned consumer, I am upset about the current policies and practices of Starbucks. I am upset about the introduction of untested, unlabeled, and potentially hazardous genetically engineered ingredients — without my knowledge — into the foods that I consume and serve to my family. 

I am dismayed to learn that Starbucks allows recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) and other genetically engineered ingredients in your coffee beverages, ice cream, chocolate, and baked goods.

I am also upset that Starbucks is refusing to brew and serve Fair Trade, shade-grown coffee in its cafes (as opposed to just selling the beans in bulk); and that you are not following through completely on a previous agreement to improve the wages and working conditions for the thousands of workers on coffee plantations that supply you with coffee in Guatemala and other nations.

You Are What You Eat - Junk Food Mothers

Is it the notion that to be fit and healthy you need to eat good food?

"Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es." - Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

"Der Mensch ist, was er ißt." - Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach

Neither Brillat-Savarin or Feuerbach meant their quotations to be taken literally.

They were stating that that the food one eats has a bearing on what one's state of mind and health.

Ninety per cent of the diseases known to man are caused by cheap foodstuffs.

The prevalence of obesity, and diabetes in American children is currently estimated to be 35%. Poor nutritional habits during childhood have been directly related to pediatric obesity, and pediatric diabetes.

Childhood obesity, and childhood diabetes is a problem.

Cinco de Mayo Is Not Mexico's Independence Day

Cinco de Mayo marks a American holiday that more and more people celebrate every year in the United States, but sadly many not knowing the reason for the festivities: the "Batalla de Puebla" (Battle of Puebla) or "Cinco de Mayo" (Fifth of May).

The celebration of Cinco de Mayo has become a well-known holiday in the United States from the first time it was celebrated since 1863. However, there is a great deal of misconception around the historical relevance of this Mexican holiday over time and which persists today. The joyous festivities of Cinco de Mayo sometimes cause casual observers to mistakenly assume it is in honor of Mexican Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo translates into the fifth of May, so many Americans think that it equates with the fourth of July or American Independence Day.

However, Mexican Independence is celebrated in September each year.