Hello Everyone
Have you ever thought about eating rotten food? Well to be more precise, I should say ‘have you thought about the importance of eating food that rots? That was certainly running through my mind last weekend when I did my grocery shopping. One the one hand I was delighted to see a father doing the grocery shopping with his two young children. On the other hand I thought ‘he has bought nothing that rots’.
I watched him go through the checkout with numerous boxes of muffins, muesli bars, loaves of white bread, packages of sausages, containers of ice-cream and various other boxes. It occurred to me that he has nothing that rots! All the food stuffs had an incredibly long shelf life. There was nothing fresh, no fruit, no vegetables not even any frozen vegetables.
I guess we have all heard stories of the hamburger that has been left for months without any signs of deterioration. How does this occur? Obviously with large amounts of preservatives – things that stop the natural breakdown of matter. Nanoparticles are one of the key ways that bacteria is killed. It is bacteria which encourages the natural rotting process.
Nanoparticles are thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair. And nanotechnology has been hailed as a new wonder technology. Accordin to the developers ‘it is able to make stronger and more lightweight materials, better cosmetics and tastier or healthier foods’. But the risks and research on it are sadly lacking.
Stephen Holgate, a clinical professor of immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton, says "Most of the research so far... has shown that these particles can penetrate barriers and get into the system. They can find their way into the liver, into the kidney and even into the brain."
A Friends of the Earth‘s report found that untested nanotechnology is being used in more than 100 food products, food packaging and contact materials currently on the shelf, without warning or testing. Tomato sauce for example is one of the 100s of common food items containing these nanoparticles.
Nanomaterials can be used as more potent food colorings, flavorings and nutritional additives, antibacterial ingredients for food packaging, and more potent agrochemicals and fertilizers. Nanomaterials can be in the packaging around biscuits, provide the color for meat, and supply added nutrients in shakes given to toddlers.
Nanoparticles have been shown in preliminary studies to be chemically reactive and when they find their way into our bodies, they can potentially wreak havoc. We also don’t know how much we can safely ingest without harm, but we do know that some studies have already shown that nanomaterials can adversely affect our immune system.
Why I am sticking my neck out to tell you about this rather scientific new technology? Because the best foods for our bodies are the ones that do rot if not consumed fresh.
What can you do to protect yourself and your family? You could consider taking part in a community garden project or developing your own vegetable garden. Consider learning about the benefits of permaculture. Consciously choose the foods that nourish you and the planet.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Communication as a way forward for the planet.
Hello Everyone
Two weeks ago I was asked to be the mediator for a workplace conflict that had been festering for over three years. The impact of this was low morale and very low productivity for not just the two people directly involved but the whole workplace. Something had to change otherwise court proceedings were clearly on the agenda.
It was obvious to me that both parties had no idea what was happening to the other. Nor could they see how they were responsible for the situation – not to blame but rather, how they may have contributed in some way. Using the skills of conflict coaching and mediation the situation was resolved and peace and workability now reign.
This conflict again made me realise how lucky we are to have moved forward in our thinking. Once upon a time the only way to resolve conflict was to fight but now mediation and communication are seen as far more beneficial. There is a new belief – everything can be resolved in communication. Actually even when wars are over the communication has to start. So why not communicate before things get out of control? Thank goodness this is also happening at the global level too.
Even though we live on the other side of the world, we are so connected via technology that we do know what is happening around the globe. No doubt you are aware of the financial crisis that is gripping a number of European countries, especially Greece. Lindsay Tanner our federal Finance Minister has recently made some very exciting comments to make me think that peace on the planet is possible.
Australian Federal Minister Tanner pointed out that traditionally European economies in such a mess would usually lead to a situation of war and conquest. But through communication, agreements, negotiation, the euro and the European Union, there is now a high level of connectedness and international co-operation. Although in Australia we tend to only hear about the terrible things that are happening around the world in fact this incredible level of co-operation should be acknowledged as a landmark event for humanity.
Our thinking about conflict has transformed. The present events in Europe a couple of generations ago would have been handled very differently and military conflict would have been a feature. Co-operation and communication are now the cornerstones of civilised societies.
At present throughout the world is a group of professionals who are committed to developing their skills in this area - they are called facilitators. A facilitator is an individual whose job is to help incorporate all voices in problem solving. For it is when everyone feels truly heard and their opinions respected that a resolution is possible and lasting. And this surely is the way forward for the planet!
Two weeks ago I was asked to be the mediator for a workplace conflict that had been festering for over three years. The impact of this was low morale and very low productivity for not just the two people directly involved but the whole workplace. Something had to change otherwise court proceedings were clearly on the agenda.
It was obvious to me that both parties had no idea what was happening to the other. Nor could they see how they were responsible for the situation – not to blame but rather, how they may have contributed in some way. Using the skills of conflict coaching and mediation the situation was resolved and peace and workability now reign.
This conflict again made me realise how lucky we are to have moved forward in our thinking. Once upon a time the only way to resolve conflict was to fight but now mediation and communication are seen as far more beneficial. There is a new belief – everything can be resolved in communication. Actually even when wars are over the communication has to start. So why not communicate before things get out of control? Thank goodness this is also happening at the global level too.
Even though we live on the other side of the world, we are so connected via technology that we do know what is happening around the globe. No doubt you are aware of the financial crisis that is gripping a number of European countries, especially Greece. Lindsay Tanner our federal Finance Minister has recently made some very exciting comments to make me think that peace on the planet is possible.
Australian Federal Minister Tanner pointed out that traditionally European economies in such a mess would usually lead to a situation of war and conquest. But through communication, agreements, negotiation, the euro and the European Union, there is now a high level of connectedness and international co-operation. Although in Australia we tend to only hear about the terrible things that are happening around the world in fact this incredible level of co-operation should be acknowledged as a landmark event for humanity.
Our thinking about conflict has transformed. The present events in Europe a couple of generations ago would have been handled very differently and military conflict would have been a feature. Co-operation and communication are now the cornerstones of civilised societies.
At present throughout the world is a group of professionals who are committed to developing their skills in this area - they are called facilitators. A facilitator is an individual whose job is to help incorporate all voices in problem solving. For it is when everyone feels truly heard and their opinions respected that a resolution is possible and lasting. And this surely is the way forward for the planet!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Interconnectedness of Species
Hello Everyone
I was a bit taken aback during the week. I was walking along enjoying the beautiful warm autumn day with my friend Chris when another friend caught up to us and said ‘Great weather, isn’t it?’
Chris replied ‘Yes we can all be grateful to global warming for this!’ I detected a strong note of sarcasm and frustration in Chris’s voice. Chris went on to say that every time someone commented on the warm weather then the reply offered would be along the lines of ‘ let’s be thankful to global warming’. This was Chris’s one person’s crusade to wake people up to what is happening on the planet.
Yes the weather is beautifully warm and there are consequences.
According to Professor David Chapple of Monash University many people are not aware of the high extinction rates occurring right now.
About 130 species become extinct each day. This is up to 1000 times greater than the natural extinction rate. Those under threat according to the United Nations are 12% of birds; 21% of mammals; 28% of reptiles; 30% of amphibians; 35% of invertebrates; 37% of freshwater fish and 70% of plants.
In our own ‘backyard’, 20% of the lizard species are at high risk of extinction. On the one hand you might think that we could live without these cute little reptiles but what we may not be able to live without is their importance in the food chain and their interconnectedness with other species. Lizards are important food for birds and snakes and the lizards themselves eat insects.
The importance and interconnectedness of all life forms is one of the key principles developed in permaculture. Perhaps you might like to take up the challenge and learn how you can live more sustainably with permaculture principles.
visit http://www.roztownsend.com/
I was a bit taken aback during the week. I was walking along enjoying the beautiful warm autumn day with my friend Chris when another friend caught up to us and said ‘Great weather, isn’t it?’
Chris replied ‘Yes we can all be grateful to global warming for this!’ I detected a strong note of sarcasm and frustration in Chris’s voice. Chris went on to say that every time someone commented on the warm weather then the reply offered would be along the lines of ‘ let’s be thankful to global warming’. This was Chris’s one person’s crusade to wake people up to what is happening on the planet.
Yes the weather is beautifully warm and there are consequences.
According to Professor David Chapple of Monash University many people are not aware of the high extinction rates occurring right now.
About 130 species become extinct each day. This is up to 1000 times greater than the natural extinction rate. Those under threat according to the United Nations are 12% of birds; 21% of mammals; 28% of reptiles; 30% of amphibians; 35% of invertebrates; 37% of freshwater fish and 70% of plants.
In our own ‘backyard’, 20% of the lizard species are at high risk of extinction. On the one hand you might think that we could live without these cute little reptiles but what we may not be able to live without is their importance in the food chain and their interconnectedness with other species. Lizards are important food for birds and snakes and the lizards themselves eat insects.
The importance and interconnectedness of all life forms is one of the key principles developed in permaculture. Perhaps you might like to take up the challenge and learn how you can live more sustainably with permaculture principles.
visit http://www.roztownsend.com/
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