What You Don't Know About Hunger

When you think of world hunger, what comes to mind? Africa? Children with distended bellies? Drought? Well there is so much more to know about world hunger. Let me share some facts with you.


What is Hunger?


There are different manifestations of hunger which are each measured in different ways:




Under-nourishment is used to describe the status of people whose food intake does not include enough calories (energy) to meet minimum physiological needs for an active life.
 
Malnutrition means 'badly nourished', and is characterised by inadequate intake of protein, energy and micro nutrients and by frequent infections and diseases. Starved of the right nutrition, people will die from common infections like measles or diarrhoea.


Wasting is an indicator of acute malnutrition that reflects a recent and severe process that has led to substantial weight loss. This is usually the result of starvation and/or disease.


Who are the hungry?

• There are 925 million chronically hungry people in the world
• Over half are in Asia and the Pacific and about a quarter are in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• 60% of them are women
• 1 out of 4 children in developing countries are underweight
• 65 percent of the world's hungry live in only seven countries: India, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Ethiopia. 
•  More than 70 percent of the world's underweight children (aged five or less) live in just 10 countries, with more than 50 per cent located in South Asia alone

Why are people hungry?                                         

• Poverty              
• High Food Prices                                          
• Inadequate access to food
• Climate change
• Social exclusion
• Low investment in agriculture

Did you know?

• Rural women produce more than 55% of all food grown in developing countries
• Women make up a little over half of the world's population but in many parts of the world, especially in Asia and South America, they are more likely to go hungry than men.
• There is enough food in the world today for everyone to have the nourishment necessary for a healthy and productive life.
• 
  These men significantly reduced hunger and poverty in their countries: John Agyekum Kufuor & Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (click and read how they did it)     

What can we do?
Call and/or write your congressmen and senators and ask them to support funding for hunger programs in the Fiscal Year 2012 budget. (No there isn't a budget yet. We have until November 18, 2011)

Find their contact information here  and here

Now you know. There's no need for hunger, so let's get rid of it.

Don't Box Me In

When I was a little girl, I remember my brother and I playing in a big box pushing each other around. (We were easily entertained). My brother then put the box over me and sat on it. I freaked out. This was the beginning of my claustrophobia. I knew even then that I didn't like being stuck in a box. Although I have my claustrophobia in check now, I'm still struggling to get out of boxes. People are not content with allowing others to be and evolve into who they were meant to be. It seems to be much easier for some to categorize, box, and label people in order to know how to deal with them accordingly. This hinders ones from truly being themselves and living freely. Even if a person lives his or her life the way he or she pleases, those who object or who cannot accept it either cause a disagreement, annoyance, or separation. So why do we feel the need to put people in boxes?

I was recently told by someone who has known me all of my life that my spirituality may be what turns my friends off and that I haven't been dating because I am too socially conscious. Now, this was ridiculous to me because it would seem to me that those qualities would be appealing to people, at least the people I would want to hang out with. But I know that what she was really saying was that it was a turn off for her. Yes, I have become more spiritual and socially conscious as I have gotten older, but those aren't the only facets to my personality. Yet, she has put me into these boxes as if I couldn't be more, as if she didn't know more. Perhaps the real issue is that she is unable to deal with those aspects of who I am and so they stand out to her. But she is not the only one who puts me in a box.

When I walk into a room, it's like filling out one of those "optional" surveys you see on job applications. Immediately people see African American and female. So now I'm put into the boxes of what that means to the observer. They see my dreadlocks, or my head wrapped, and now an entirely new box appears. Then they will ask a slew of questions to find out what other boxes they need to put me in: how old are you? what do you do? where did you go to school? where are you from? what's your religion? (when I tell them love is my religion they bring out the "coocoo" box). Once they're done surveying me, they think they know me. Then, they find out I'm rasta, vegan, and don't drink and they throw out all of the other  boxes and bring out new ones. But they still don't know who I am, and they will never learn if they insist on deciding before they interact with me or communicate with me for any length of time

They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. Well, a first impression is not always the entire truth, and sometimes not the truth at all. Some of my closest friends are people whom I didn't care for when I first met them. I either gave them a second or third chance, or it was forced upon me, and when I got to know them, I realized I was wrong. Youth go through this all of the time. Adults assume they don't know about certain things because of their age. I have learned from them that wisdom doesn't come from age but from experience, observation, listening, and learning. Some youth have experienced and seen a lot. So I let them show me who they are. If only everyone would do the same for each other.

India Arie sang, "I am not my hair, I am not my skin, I am not your expectations no. I am not my hair, I am not my skin, I am a soul that lives within." Remember, humans are multi dimensional beings with many different experiences, moods, desires, and abilities. We are souls, and souls are very complex because it takes a lifetime to shape them. So I say stop being Fed Ex and throw away the boxes. Enough employers and government agencies want to categorize us, we don't need to do it to each other. If you only know one side of a person, try getting to know other sides before you decide who they are. Better yet, don't decide who they are, just accept them.  Lastly, be your authentic self and refuse to get into the boxes people create for you. Love and light.

Food: Rx for Health

As I'm fasting today for World Food Day, I reflect on my relationship with food, both past and present. Being raised in a household with a southern (U.S.) grandmother and mother, there was no shortage of tasty food for my pallet. But what is good to you is not always good for you. My mother always told me to clean my plate because there are "children starving in Africa." To my dismay, this is still the case. This thought taught me not to waste food, unfortunately, it also taught me to eat too much. Food was my best friend. She comforted me, celebrated with me, brought me closer to people, and helped me fill a void. But I took advantage of food, I took her for granted. I thought I could manipulate her by consuming as much of her as I want in any form and she would always be my friend. Then one day, she turned on me. She gave me gallstones and started me on a journey that would change my life.

People don't realize that food has been rebelling against us for  mistreating her for years. The things we do to food is reprehensible. We add chemicals and additives, we abuse animals farmed as food, we prepare food in unhealthy ways, we serve it, at least in America, in gluttonous portions, we abuse food. She began rebelling, much like people in America and the world recently have: occupation. We aren't even aware that food is occupying our bodies and refusing to leave. Even as our scales begin to tip and our waistlines grow wider, we are unaware that food is waging a rebellion. Because we haven't listened to her, she has gone to the next level: causing disease. In this country diabetes, especially childhood diabetes rates are way up. Heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, are all diseases that can be linked to the amount of or types of food we eat. Yes, food is livid, and we'd better start listening to her demands.

Four years ago, after I had my gallbladder removed, I began to make amends with food. I wanted to repair our relationship because I need her. I became vegan and started using organic foods as much as possible and I looked to food for healing. I only use medications when absolutely unavoidable because now that food and I are besties again, she let me in on a little secret: she's a healer! I already knew that in her natural state she could provide me with all the vitamins, minerals and vital nutrients I need to stay healthy. But she also has healing powers. When I got pneumonia, tea made with thyme was the only thing to help me breath. Ginger helps me with digestion, onions relieve nasal congestion, and garlic is a natural antibiotic. There are many fruits, vegetables and herbs that are not only healing, but also prevent disease. I have included links to sites that show you which foods are good for what ailment or disease.

A year ago, three years after I had my gallbladder removed, I awakened one morning to a familiar pain in my abdomen. I had no gallbladder, so it couldn't be another gallstone attack, but it certainly felt like it! In the emergency room, they were sure it was an ulcer. I wasn't convinced, so I went to see my doctor who scheduled me for an endoscopy. I asked the nurse if she could find a natural remedy for my pain so she went on the Internet and saw a doctor had recommended cabbage juice for his ulcer patients. I had a juicer so I was ready to try it. Sure enough, an ounce of cabbage juice eliminated my pain immediately. For a week I only drank cabbage juice and fruit smoothies because I felt like food was stacking up in my stomach. Oh no, I thought, food is turning on me again. What had I done to her this time? Turns out, it was a wayward gallstone that had blocked my bile duct. Ok ok, food, I learned my lesson the first time!

I've learned to respect food. I no longer live to eat, I eat to live. I let food do her job. I make sure she is organic, healthily prepared, and I only have her in moderation. She, in turn, gives me vital nutrients, energy, a strong mind, and pleasure. Instead of avoiding her or manipulating how I eat her, I eat healthy meals and snacks and she helps me lose weight and stay healthy. When I am sick, I go to Dr. Food first. I am grateful for the relationship I have with food now. I wish everyone could have the same relationship. Food is our friend, a friend we can't live without. If we treat her right, she will treat us right. Listen to her demands. Love and light, and good eating.

http://www.juicing-for-health.com/healing-foods.html

http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/foodsthatheal.html

http://www.healingfoodreference.com/

World Food Day-The Challenge

Have you ever been so hungry that you actually said, "I'm starving?" I know I have, many times. The sensation of hunger, a lack of food in your stomach, is universal. But there are different manifestations of hunger which are each measured in different ways:

 

• Under-nourishment is used to describe the status of people whose food intake does not include enough calories (energy) to meet minimum physiological needs for an active life. At present, there are 925 million undernourished people worldwide, most of them in developing countries.

• Malnutrition means 'badly nourished', but is more than a measure of what we eat or fail to eat. Malnutrition is characterised by inadequate intake of protein, energy and micro nutrients and by frequent infections and diseases. Starved of the right nutrition, people will die from common infections like measles or diarrhoea. Malnutrition is measured not by how much food is eaten but by physical measurements of the body - weight or height - and age.

• Wasting is an indicator of acute malnutrition that reflects a recent and severe process that has led to substantial weight loss. This is usually the result of starvation and/or disease

Tomorrow, October 16, 2011 is World Food Day. I present a challenge for you all. For tomorrow only, I challenge you to fast for the entire day, going to bed without eating to experience a tiny fraction of what 925 million feel everyday. Then, take whatever money you would have spent on food, say if you are craving tacos, or you were going to make a chicken dinner, and donate to an organization that feeds the hungry. Perhaps you are unable, for whatever reason, to fast, how about volunteering at a soup kitchen (they're not just open on holidays) or collecting can goods from friends, family, and neighbors and taking them to a food pantry. Or simply go to one of the websites at the links provided below, gather some information and share it.

There is enough food in the world for everyone to have the nourishment necessary for a healthy and productive life. As daunting as the task of feeding 925 million people seems, it absolutely can be done. John Agyekum Kufuor and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have been chosen to jointly receive the 2011 World Food Prize for their personal commitment and visionary leadership while serving as the presidents of Ghana and of Brazil, respectively, in creating and implementing government policies to alleviate hunger and poverty in their countries. Check out what they did here to greatly reduce hunger and poverty in their countries.

The only hunger this world should see is the hunger for knowledge. Despite what you have been told, we are our brothers' keepers. Join me in the fight to end hunger. Please share this post and spread the word, and leave comments about what you did for World Food Day. Love and Light.

 http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/

http://www.bread.org/hunger/global/facts.html

 

Being the Change

I keep thinking about the John Mayer song "Waiting on the World to Change." I never liked that song because I disagreed with everything it says. Hasn't John Mayer ever heard Gandhi's quote "Be the change you want to see in the world?" I'm elated to see the thousands of people who are no longer waiting on the world to change, but creating change. All of the people occupying America, all of the people fighting for justice for their brothers and sisters, all of the people who are battling world hunger, and all of you who are defending the children, I salute you and give thanks.

It gives me great pride to see my brothers and sisters standing up for their rights, and in a peaceful manner. I offer up two pieces of advice. The first is to figure out the next steps. Now that we are occupying the country, especially Wall Street, how do we ensure we get the specific changes we seek? In fact, what are the specific changes we seek? These are the questions we should ask ourselves. I think one way to show the elite we mean business is to hit them where it hurts, their wallets. We need to shut down consumerism. Stop buying their products they claim we can't live without. Refuse to put more dollars in their pockets. Sometimes I think that if we refuse to vote for any of them until changes are made, they would see we mean business. I'm not sure if either of these will work, but I am sure that we must begin to think beyond occupation. These are serious movements that I have not seen in this country in my lifetime. Dr. King would be proud.

The next piece of advice that I offer is to make sure that your mind, body, and spirit are occupied by love, peace, justice, intelligence, and rationality. As Groundation says, "They want to control with violency." We should make sure that is not our way. One thing our government is very prepared for and highly skilled at is violence. That's not how we will win the battle. They have the big weapons and still control the system. Our biggest weapon is peaceful resistance because they still need us to make their money and keep their power. It takes more strength, courage, and character to refrain from violence than to engage in it. I don't want to see any of my brothers and sisters hurt.

Our children are receiving good lessons and witnessing history. They will be the generation who will finish the fight and perfect the change. They are seeing that even the smallest effort is huge. One man, woman, or child, can make a big difference.From spreading the word and getting vital information to the masses, or inspiring others, helping one person eat, showing one person you care to protesting, publicly speaking out, and risk of arrest, there's always something one can do. So I give thanks to all of you soldiers for justice. Be of good courage and don't give up. I leave you with some wise words I recently read, "I think some will be driven out, and some will be pushed together, but with the bond of Truth and Rights we, those who come with love in their hearts for ALL, will stand dominant." ~Harrison Stafford  Love and Light

The Rising of a Queen: Year One

Today marks one year since I took my first step in my journey towards the throne and moved 400 miles north of family and friends. I am, therefore, in a reflective mood. A friend told me I "bare my soul" well in this blog. It's funny, that wasn't my intention, but a blog about this journey of mine is bound to be revealing. So  this question comes to mind; what have I learned and/or accomplished this past year? Hmmm, well a lot has certainly transpired, both good, and not as good. I think I can certainly say the good outweighs the not so good. But have I learned anything? Have I gotten any closer to the throne? This past year has definitely been a roller coaster ride, many ups and downs, highs and lows. I've learned that the lows weren't that low, and the highs, well they were pretty high.

During the coldest and wettest winter of my life, I was without a car or the finances to get one, then one was given to me. Many of the people I've come in contact with haven't been very friendly, and I don't really fit in in my new neighborhood. I haven't made many friends that I can spend time with, but one friend I made enabled me to meet and spend time with some very lovely and friendly people who just happen to be my favorite band. That experience alone has made this move worth it. Although I have spent a great deal of time alone, it has meant plenty of time to pick my writing back up. I'm not sure if I've gotten any better at it, but the inspiration is definitely there. Things seem to always balance out. I guess one lesson is that when life doesn't seem to be going your way, be patient and have faith that life is happening that way for a reason; to make way for something even better.

Preparations for the throne include self evaluation and improvement, adjustment of my attitude and outlook, paying attention to that voice inside of me, the voice of my Father the Mighty King, increasing my faith, positivity, confidence, and knowledge, and knowing myself. I have overcome fears, recognized weaknesses, and gotten closer to my Father. I still have many miles to travel, but now that He knows I am serious, my Father has revealed a great deal more of the path to me that I am to follow. If we pay attention to what's going on around us in nature, with other people, society, our heads and hearts, we can see and hear what the universe or Higher Power is trying to tell us. I've learned that not everyone will be able to see what I see, or understand it, and some may call me crazy, so I keep much of it to myself.

In this year, I've noticed many changes in myself spiritually, mentally, and physically. I don't know if it's age, the different environment, or could I be getting wiser? Maybe it's all of those. I'm a seeker of wisdom. I never feel wise so I always look for answers as well as questions. I like to surround myself with people who are more intelligent about the things I need to learn more about. Everyone has something they can teach us. I learned that from working with youth. They get a bum rap. People dismiss them because of their age, but with age does not necessarily come wisdom. Some wisdom leaves us as we age. We get wrapped up in worldly meaningless pursuits and forget the keys to happiness that were given to us at birth. Age doesn't bring wisdom, we have to seek it, continually. The first place to start is within ourselves.

Everything we need to be happy, to succeed, to make a beautiful life is inside of us already. We create the reality in which we live. I used to think that some people make life happen while others let life happen to them. The truth is, we make the life we live with all the things we do, say, and think, as well as all we don't do, say, or think. Now this is a lesson a few people have tried to teach me a while ago, but I was not in the right place mentally, spiritually, and physically to understand it. So in that respect, this move was not only a good decision, but a necessary one. There are goals, hopes, and dreams that I have neglected that will now receive my full attention because I am now aware that I can bring them to fruition without waiting for the "right" time, people, or circumstances. The time is now, I am the person, and circumstances are inconsequential. I give thanks to the few of you who have been following this blog. I do bare my soul a bit in it and your interest is honored. I wish you Love and Light.

Blessed Be the Ties that Bind

I had so many things that I wanted to blog about that I had a difficult time deciding which to choose. Once I gave it some thought, I realized that it all came down to connections. We are all connected, true, but we feel certain connections more strongly than we do others. I have a theory about that. Everything is energy and was all once the same energy, coming from the same source. Once this energy dispersed, we began vibrating on slightly different frequencies. Stay with me here. Some of us are on or closer to the same vibrational frequency with each other than we are with others and that's why we gravitate towards each other. This may be a little out there for some of you, but think about how we describe certain connections we have. We "vibe" well with each other. We're on the same "wave length". I like his "energy".  I know the source of this energy to be divine. Whether or not you buy into this theory of mine, there's no denying that some connections are stronger than others. I'm not going to concentrate too much on this theory, rather, what it means and what we do with it.

Family connections are much more than DNA. They are also shared experiences, heritage, culture, traditions, interests, beliefs, and so on. These things bind us to one another. This is why I say your family is who you make it. These are the people you love outwardly, forgive infinitely, help selflessly, and enjoy effortlessly, right? They should be. We should, of course, do these things for one another regardless of our connection, but for those we are bound to, it should be even easier.  What I've seen far too often, however, is quite the opposite. "We hurt the ones we love most" is a phrase I hate. It doesn't even make sense. If you love someone, wouldn't your instinct be to do everything possible NOT to hurt them? You see, here's what's left off of that phrase, "because we take their love and forgiveness for granted." We think that these ties that bind us are impenetrable. But are they?

I've watched many people say 'until death do us part' and then watched them walk away, still alive! I've seen parents sacrifice to raise their children as best they could only to grow old and be deserted by those same children, and that is a relationship bound by DNA! Why do we take these ties for granted? We live in a world that asks so much of us. People want money, degrees, experience, talent. They want you to look this way and act that way, believe this, and feel that. When someone loves you for you, despite you, why would you reject, ignore, or mistreat that person?  When someone wants to spend time with you, wants to know how you are and what you've been up to, it's a sign that they care about you. We spend more time trying to please and impress those who couldn't care less if we are happy or miserable, successful or failures, live or die. Yet, we expect the ties we have made to withstand abuse, and still be bound when we need them.

I don't always honor the ties I have the best I can because I let life and my own needs get in the way. I do value them, however, and if they reach out to me, I will be there as best I can. It saddens me to see people mistreat each other, but it is even more disheartening when I watch love get shined away like a smudge and ties get whittled away to nothing. I've been on the receiving end of that shining far too often so I take care not to do the same. Honor your parents, they gave you life. Honor your siblings, they helped you become who you are. Honor your friendships, love relationships, and other connections, they happened for a reason. Stop treating each other with disdain and disregard. These ties that bind us are so much bigger than any dispute, grudge, or selfish pursuit. We will, all of us be reunited on the same vibration one day, and that will mean complete harmony. These ties are the beginning of that reunion. Blessed be the ties that bind. Love and Light.