Mindful Eating and Food Soverienty 

Guided Visualization and Discussion of Food Sovereignty, Organic Non-GMO Food, Farms, Gardens, Food Movements. 

 

 Outline of Workshop Experience: 

 

• Introduction to mindfulness practice with refferences to: 

  John Kabbit Zinn: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

  Thich Nhat Hahn: Ecological Buddhism: A Buddhist response to global warming

  Jack Kornfield: Mindful eating awareness practices

  Joanna Macy : The Work that Reconnects

 

• Guided Eating Meditation

  5 senses relationship to vegetables/fruit from Esalen garden and Organic imported vegetables/fruits (traditionally a raisin is used)

  Feeling with fingers

  Sound in your hand, rubbing & moving vegetable/fruit in hand  

  Smell

  Seeing textures, colors, shapes

  Taste and texture: sweet, salty, sour

  Food Cycle and Personal Relationship

 

• From Seed-Sprout-Plant-Seasons-Farmers-Harvest-Production-Transport-Energy of all People involved-access. We will go through this meditation twice. Once for the local grown vegetable and one for the Organic Imported vegetable, and later discuss the differences in the participant’s relationships to each vegetable.

   

• Food Sovereignty Solutionary Discussion

  Blooming Biodiversity West Coast Permaculture Tour

We co-founded and co-organized this tour so we could learn about sustainable living, earth activism, and practical applications of regenerative design. We traveled to over 60 organic farms, gardens, community centers and spiritual centers, both urban and rural, dedicated caring for people and community, their surrounding natural environment, and fair share of natural resources. These centers share the common vision of supporting empowered community members to live symbiotically with the land through growing their own food, renewable energy, positive impact, low waste and creative expression.

• Earth Democracy

“Globalized industrialized food is not cheap: it is too costly for the Earth, for the farmers, for our health. The Earth can no longer carry the burden of groundwater mining, pesticide pollution, disappearance of species and destabilization of the climate. Farmers can no longer carry the burden of debt, which is inevitable in industrial farming with its high costs of production. It is incapable of producing safe, culturally appropriate, tasty, quality food. And it is incapable of producing enough food for all because it is wasteful of land, water and energy. Industrial agriculture uses ten times more energy than it produces. It is thus ten times less efficient.”

― Vandana Shiva
“Whenever we engage in consumption or production patterns which take more than we need, we are engaging in violence.”

― Vandana Shiva, Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace

• Seed Savers
  http://www.richmondgrowsseeds.org/seed-saving.html

The Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library is open to everyone and provides, in addition to seeds, education about growing and saving seeds and organic gardening.

http://www.sevenseedsfarm.com/

“Siskiyou Seeds operates at our family farm, Seven Seeds Farm. We have been growing certified organic seed for many national scale mail order seed companies for the past 19 years. We are fairly unique within the world of seed companies in that we actually produce much of the seed ourselves, as opposed to most companies that buy most (or all) of their seed from multinational corporate seed houses, many of whom also produce genetically engineered vegetable seeds.”

“Seed is the biggest issue of democracy in food. Seed is a common resource, and we have to protect it for future generations. I would call GM [Genetic Modification] a cruelty to seeds. I will live to see the end of Monsanto.”

VANDANA SHIVA

 

• Organic Non-Gmo local farming

What is Permaculture?:

Permaculture is a set of values and principles conducive to the harmonious integration of people, plants and animals within an ecosystem. "Permaculture is a design discipline based on the foundational ecological principles of nature." It's a process of taking one's observations of natural systems and applying the lessons learned to the human based environment. Permaculture is something we "use" to discover what to "do". It is a road map to finding our small place in the world as an integral part of the whole planetary system. Care For Earth. Care For People. Return The Surplus.” Permaculture is a harmonious integration of thenatural landscape design with human culture, providing food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable, resilient, diverse and stable way.  Permaculture is the conscious design of cultivated ecosystems that have thediversity, stability, and resilience of natural systems. Permaculture  is a harmonious integration of people into the landscape in such a way that it grows richness, productiveness and aesthetic beauty.  Permaculture is a diverse complex ecosystem where the elements interact in mutually beneficial ways to produce a whole which is greater than the sum of its parts. Permaculture generates a harmonious balance among all forms of life in an ecosystem. Permaculture works with, rather than against nature. Permaculture is the design and creation of self-sustaining productive systems.

1. Observe and Interact
By taking the time to engage with nature we can design solutions that suit our particular situation.

2. Catch and Store Energy
By developing systems that collect resources when they are abundant, we can use them in times of need.

3. Obtain a yield

Ensure that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the working you are doing.

4.  Apply Self Regulation and Accept Feedback

We need to discourage inappropriate activity to ensure that systems can continue to function well. Negative feedback is often slow to emerge.

5. Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services

Make the best use of nature’s abundance to reduce our consumptive behavior and dependence on non-renewable resources.

6. Produce No Waste

By valuing and making use of all the resources that are available to us, nothing goes to waste.

7. Design From Patterns to Details

By stepping back, we can observe patterns in nature and society. These can form the backbone of our designs, with the details filled in as we go.

8. Integrate Rather Than Segregate

By putting the right things in the right place, relationships develop between those things and they work together to support each other.

9. Use Small and Slow Solutions

Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, making better use of local resources and produce more sustainable outcomes.

10. Use and Value Diversity

Diversity reduces vulnerability to a variety of threats and takes advantage of the unique nature of the environment in which it resides.

11. Use Edges and Value the Marginal

The interface between things is where the most interesting events take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse and productive elements in the system.

12. Creatively Use and Respond to Change

We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing and then intervening at the right time.

https://justlists.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/principles-of-permaculture/

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity “is the term given to the variety of life on Earth. It is the variety within and between all species of plants, animals and microorganisms and the ecosystems within which they live and interact.” “It also refers to the multitude of different ecosystems in which species form unique communities, interacting with one another and the air, water and soil.” “All species depend on other species for survival. Ecosystems vary in size. A large stand of forest or a small pond can each be described as an ecosystem.  Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems in a given place. Within any broader landscape there is a mosaic of interconnected ecosystems. To conserve biodiversity, conservation at the landscape level is critical. This enables the protection of a representative array of interacting ecosystems and their associated species and genetic diversity.”

 

What is Sustainability?  

Sustainability has made a prominent place in public discourse as a complex synergy of social justice, ecological integrity, and economic vitality, applied across present and future generations.

 

What is Organic?
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:

Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too. http://www.organic.org/home/faq

 

What is GMO & Non-GMO?

GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/what-is-gmo/
The Non-GMO label guarantees that the food is not genetically modified.

More discussion topics about GMO & Non-GMO:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rr4XwQim2Wznl77uYpwQmHkkv7secBaV9iW62RY-_Ww/pub
 

What is Biodynamics?
Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food and nutrition.Biodynamics was first developed in the early 1920s based on the spiritual insights and practical suggestions of the Austrian writer, educator and social activist Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), whose philosophy is called “anthroposophy(link is external).” Today, the biodynamic movement encompasses thousands of successful gardens, farms, vineyards and agricultural operations of all kinds and sizes on all continents, in a wide variety of ecological and economic settings.

Biodynamic farmers strive to create a diversified, balanced farm ecosystem that generates health and fertility as much as possible from within the farm itself. Preparations made from fermented manure, minerals and herbs are used to help restore and harmonize the vital life forces of the farm and to enhance the nutrition, quality and flavor of the food being raised. Biodynamic practitioners also recognize and strive to work in cooperation with the subtle influences of the wider cosmos on soil, plant and animal health.

Most biodynamic initiatives seek to embody triple bottom line approaches (ecological, social and economic sustainability), taking inspiration from Steiner’s insights into social and economic life as well as agriculture. Community supported agriculture (CSA), for example, was pioneered by biodynamic farmers, and many biodynamic practitioners work in creative partnerships with other farms and with schools, medical and wellness facilities, restaurants, hotels, homes for social therapy and other organizations. Biodynamics is thus not just a holistic agricultural system but also a potent movement for new thinking and practices in all aspects of life connected to food and agriculture. https://www.biodynamics.com/what-is-biodynamics

What is No-Till?
No-till farming (also called zero tillage or direct drilling) is a way of growing crops or pasture from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage. No-till is an agricultural technique which increases the amount of water that infiltrates into the soil and increases organic matter retention and cycling of nutrients in the soil. In many agricultural regions it can reduce or eliminate soil erosion. It increases the amount and variety of life in and on the soil, including disease-causing organisms and disease suppression organisms. The most powerful benefit of no-tillage is improvement in soil biological fertility, making soils more resilient. Farm operations are made much more efficient, particularly improved time of sowing and better trafficability of farm operations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-till_farming
Masanobu Fukuoka was one of the pioneers of no-till grain cultivation whose work brought this method, commonly referred to as "Natural Farming" or "Do-nothing Farming" to the West from Japan. His influences went beyond farming to inspire individuals within the natural food and lifestyle movements. He was an outspoken advocate of the value of observing nature's principles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masanobu_Fukuoka

What is a Shift to An Ecological, Regenerative New Paradigm?

Environmental Sociology advocates for a shift to an ecological paradigm that recognizes human-ecosystem interdependence and biological limits to the societal phenomena. Many people around the world see great danger in our current social paradigm’s desire for constant unconstrained growth. It is clear there is not endless bounty of resources and that growth should not be the driving force. Through the development and globalization, people around the world are using more resources than the earth can renew and therefore it is becoming clear that if we continue at current rates we will expend all our natural resources in trying to sustain our overpopulated world. Many Environmentalists and activists see the current crisis we face in overpopulation and environmental destruction of land and want large-scale changes in countries policies and institutions. Consumers are identifying that they must take responsibility for their consumer choices and buy only what they truly need, recognizing that the process of manufacturing, products brought into the store and then quickly thrown away must change. A real world solution to shift the dominant social paradigm is living in Ecovillages
 

5. Soil Systems for Growing Healthy Food
Organic gardeners understand that soil is more than dirt: It is an intricate and highly sophisticated ecosystem. The most important elements of healthy soil are mulch, microbes, and moisture. When we feed the microbes with organic matter and provide them with water, they will create great fertile soil and take care of our plants. This is true for ornamental beds, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and lawns alike. Rather than feeding the plants and protecting them against pests and diseases, organic gardeners strive for maximum biodiversity both above ground and below. The result is a beautiful, dynamic balance in which plants thrive.  
- Practical Tips for Organic Gardeners by Christina Nikolic