Posted by Green Diva Mom on Jul.04, 2009

Today, Americans celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when men stood up and acted against conditions that they found untenable. On this 233rd Independence Day, the untenable conditions in America no longer come from a colonial government, but are no less real and still require action. Fireworks are temporary. Here are some active ways for Green Diva Moms to carry on the spirit of Independence Day.

Declare Your Independence from Contaminated Foods

Plant your own produce. Although it is the middle of summer, in most areas of the country, it is not to late to plant quick-maturing summer crops like green beans and summer squash. In many areas, the end of this month is the time to plant vegetables for fall, such as peas, root vegetables, leafy greens and broccoli. When you grow your own, you know exactly what is on it.

Call or email your congressional representative to find out where they stand on H.R. 875, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. The bill, currently in committee includes vague wording that could possibly be interpreted to require onerous recordkeeping, registration and inspections for farmer’s markets, CSA co-ops, direct sales from farmers and potentially even backyard vegetable gardeners. Encourage your representative to introduce amendments to the legislation to specifically exempt home growers and farmer’s markets.

Declare Your Independence from Water-borne Toxins

Install a water filter to remove the impurities in your tapwater. Drinking plenty of water is essential for health, and bottled water presents its own dangers in the form of emissions from transport, landfill waste and water contaminants leeching from the plastics. Filters on the taps and showers pull out impurities, and a whole-house filter setup can do the same for the entire water supply to the house. Of course, not even the best filters can get the endocrine disruptors out of the water supply.

Pressure your politicians to move on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. In the 11 years since the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program’s inception, the program has only managed to progress as far as drafting policies, procedures and a preliminary list of chemicals to test for. Meanwhile, endocrine disruptors in the water supply are resulting in intersex fish and amphibians, and an increase in fetal abnormalities in humans.

Declare Your Independence from Internal Contaminants

Detox your own body. Clean living starts internally, and even a short detox program can start flushing the environmental pollutants out of our bodies. A juice fast and increasing your fiber intake can both help move accumulated toxins out of your body, and massage including lymphatic drainage can encourage blood and lymph flow to speed up the elimination process. Here are some tips if you are considering fasting.

Clean out your mind. A clean mind is just as important as a clean body. Yoga and other meditative practices center you, cleanse your mind and prepare you mentally to take on life.  If possible, get a sitter to watch the kids for a few hours and take some time to yourself to recharge.

Declare Your Body’s Independence

Without your health, you really don’t have much.  Health is the most important thing in your life, yet people give this power easily over to those in white jackets with prescription medications.  What achieves optimal health? Take charge, research your symptoms, look for alternative choices, try to find the cause of the symptoms, change your diet, eat well, drink well, live life vibrantly and enjoy everyday as if it were your last… meaning don’t allow the little things to run your life, always set goals and try to live life moving closer to achieving all your dreams.  Only when these things come together will you feel empowered and achieve optimal health.  Share this with your loved ones and encourage and help them see the big picture.  Teach your children to value wise choices to achieve optimal health.  Don’t let your children be victims of manipulative marketing scams to coax them in buying their products.  Teach your children strong values and good health.  Live by example, and they will follow.

Declare Your Interdependence with Your Family

Get involved in your children’s lives. Don’t use the TV, computer or video games as a free baby sitter, it will take over your child’s mind and kill its creativity.  Not only that, your child will pick up influences that you may not agree with.  Example, attitudes, behavior, slangs words, marketing of junk products.  As a parent, manage your time well, create a schedule that works and fits everything in.  Use the summer months to bond, spend time together, play, cook and just be friends with your kids.  Use these opportunities to expose your children to things that will shape who they become, it’s never too soon to start; the younger they are the better.  Also, if you’re unhappy with your Child’s education, try working with them yourself and if you’re really motivated, try homeschooling!  Who are children become is our legacy, what they achieve is a reflection of our influences and great parenting.

Parenting is the hardest job but offers the greatest rewards one can achieve.

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Posted under GDM News & Politics, Living.