Green Monadnock with

Celeste Longacre

Food colorings such as yellow dye #5 and yellow dye #6, which is made from coal tar and has suspected links to ADHD, allergies, and some cancers. I have a friend whose son is particularly bothered by red dyes. Genetically modified crops. No long-term studies have ever been done on the effects of these foods on human bodies or health. And, they are conscientiously grown with the ability to withstand very high doses of insecticides during their production. Much of these insecticides come from Roundup, which has been banned in nearly every European country. Bisphenol-A. BPA is used in the manufacture of most plastics. It is found in the linings of canned foods as well as plastic bottles, baby bottles, and food storage containers.

Growth hormones and antibiotics. Apparently, so many US farmers use ractopene and many antibiotics that over 160 nations worldwide now say “No” to US meats.

Chemical fertilizers. According, again, to Rich Foods, Poor Foods, between 1990 and 1995 600 different companies from 44 different states sent a whopping 270,000,000 pounds of toxic waste to fertilizer companies and farms. They did not remove the toxic waste including dioxin and arsenic.

However, there is a way to avoid these foods. Buy local and organic. Here in New Hampshire, we are very fortunate to have many local farms that are producing lots of healthy foods. Many are not “certified” organic, but are raising their vegetables, fruits, and animals in humane and decent circumstances. They are also in our back yards so these foods don’t have to be shipped thousands of miles away.

When examining foods, it’s important to also think about the lives that have created it. Many factory farms put animals in tight-packed conditions with no ability to move around and often without the benefit of sunshine. These animals are unhappy and depressed. This energy is contained within their meat and eggs. When we eat it, it becomes part of us. Visit the farms where your food is grown. Check to see if the plants and animals are treated well. This also keeps the cash flowing in our community. And, your health will benefit.

WHAT TO BRING: Products marked toxic, poison, corrosive, irritant, hazardous, flammable, danger. If you think it’s hazardous, bring it up.

Unfortunately, many of our agencies have been captured by the large corporations that can afford to lobby our government. If you run for office, you need to have lots of capital. If you want to keep that money coming, well…

WHAT NOT TO BRING: Empty Containers (can be recycled), Latex Paint, Ammunition, Fireworks, Radioactive Materials, Make-Up & Toiletries.

OTHER INFORMATION: Containers must be labeled as to their contents. No containers larger than 10 gallons will be accepted.

ALSO: Check out our new reuse center for items such as good quality paint or various cleaning products. Perfect for a small job and, best of all, it’s FREE!

Schedule

The only way to take back our power is to keep it local. Buy from the people you can keep an eye on. Shop at small stores instead of the big box ones. Money still talks.

Want to learn to garden? Email celesteandbob@bobsfengshui.com with your name and phone number and I will call you.

Celeste and Bob Longacre have been living sustainably for almost 40 years. Her book, “Celeste’s Garden Delights,” details exactly how to do this and is available at many local businesses. Celeste is also looking for venues to do kvass demos.