Raising social consciousness, awareness of human conditions, hunger, poverty, homelessness and the environment.

RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS, The ALISON D. GILBERT Blog, THE ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT

THE US HOMELESS HOUSING CRISIS

December 25, 2016 No Comments

The Crisis of Homelessness

The US homeless housing crisis today affects over a half a million people, both individuals and families. This post is one of a series of blog posts, The Poor Middle Class Crisis.

This post:
• introduces the homeless housing crisis itself
• is a vehicle for the public to become more aware of this crisis
• provides resources of services that are available to the homeless
• is part of the goal to help end homelessness

Mark Horvath and Invisible People Fighting Homelessness

How I Am Different From A Homeless Person or Family

What makes me different from a homeless person? I still have dignity, self-respect and a sense of belonging. Other people treat me with respect. I have a roof over my head and my name is on the lease. Without that roof and a permanent address, I become part of the homeless housing crisis community. This can lead to the loss of many other qualities of life. We take so many things for granted. Things like:
• having a dwelling with several rooms
• accessing a kitchen to cook in
• sleeping in a warm bed
• taking regular baths or showers
• grooming oneself regularly
• washing clothes
• having medical and dental care

Without these amenities, one can spiral down, beginning to look and even feel different. A homeless person can become so different that they ultimately become invisible to the rest of the world.

Invisible People

Mark Horvath, a champion for the homeless, calls the homeless, Invisible People. He seeks to end the homeless housing crisis in his lifetime.

A Homeless Spokesperson

This video bring out some crucial issues. Certain things are needed by a homeless person to become employed again. The public thinks these are luxuries. They are not. Everyone needs a cell phone and a laptop. Both the employed and those seeking employment need them for their work.

Smartphone & Social Media: A Solution to Combat Homelessness | TEDxSyracuseUniversity

A Homeless Person’s Lifeline

Social media, a cell phone and iPad in particular are the lifelines for a homeless person. They are often the sole means of communication with another person. It may be a family member, a friend, another homeless person, calling for help or a ‘warm line’ to hear a friendly voice at the other end of the line.

Essentials For The Homeless Individual

Besides the ‘life and death’ things like food, shelter, clothes, blankets and medical care, these are also essentials for survival when someone is homeless:
• clean socks
• a place to receive mail like a PO Box
• a cell phone and laptop
• access to a cell phone ‘warm line’
• knowledge of wifi hot spots

Emily and her children

Shelter For The Homeless Individual or Family

Many homeless people agree that official homeless shelters are not the best place to stay. As a result, homeless groups band together to seek safe, optional homeless housing. Protected, warm spaces are the priority. The homeless create homeless housing communities like tent cities. Groups gather within the infrastructure under bridges. Abandoned tunnels are popular homeless dwellings. Assistance organizations do exist in some states. There are homeless housing programs for veterans, as well. Families are put in temporary hotel housing. But much more needs to be done to eliminate homelessness in the US.

How To Help End Homelessness

We can help end homelessness:
• Donate to InvisiblePeople.tv.
• Increase awareness about the homeless housing crisis
• Speak in public about homelessness in our communities
• Hold a presentation about Invisible People
• Contact our elected officials

The federal government has been working on a plan to end homelessness. Ask them how the plan is coming along. You can read a print version of the plan here.
Opening Doors: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness

Remember, the only concrete difference between is and most homeless people or families started with one thing. We still have our own roof over our heads. Someone who is homeless has lost theirs.

Sources & Resources

Facebook | Mark Horvath

LinkedIn | Mark Horvath

Twitter | Mark Horvath

Invisible People – Changing The Story of Homelessness

About – Invisible People

Invisible People.tv | speaking and consulting

Emily and Her Children Are Homeless in a Family Hotel

From Invisible People: Sandra Is Homeless In New Orleans

Get To Know Mark Horvath Keynote Speaker, Founder of Invisible People

Former Homeless Man’s Videos Profile Life On Street : NPR

Mark Horvath | The Huffington Post

Kern County bill paying assitance

Homeless Veteran Reintegration Project

Homeless camp shows divide between rich and the poor

The Cities With The Largest Homeless Populations

2016 Homeless Statistics

People experiencing chronic homelessness

Opening Doors

RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS, The ALISON D. GILBERT Blog, THE ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT

POOR MIDDLE CLASS ALTERNATIVE LIVING RESOURCES

December 24, 2016 No Comments

An Introduction To Unusual Living Possibilities

This post follows, Affordable Housing. Some of the ideas for alternative living resources are fascinating. They are definite considerations if they fit one’s lifestyle or goals. As I had mentioned in the first part of this series, some information would be geared to seniors. Most of these ideas are for younger people or for the young at heart.

Live Rent Free

Here are some alternative housing resources that are unique lifestyle options. Tips from the Yes, You Can Live Rent Free.
• Farm Livin’
• Fun With Fido
• Share A Home
• Work As A Nanny Or Au Pair
• Volunteer for Uncle Sam
• Move Back In With Mom and Dad

Invest In A Tiny Home

Tiny homes have become quite a craze. They are much smaller than a regular home. They cost much less. Therefore, they usually do not require financing. The can be mobile. They are available premade or custom built. Due to the nature of a tiny home, it is possible to become a homeowner at a very reasonable cost, for tens of thousands instead of hundreds of thousands of dollars. This allow their owner to have more mobility with their funds and their home. There are a huge number of links about tiny homes on Google. My favorite company is Tiny Heirlooms. HGTV and the DIY Channel both have shows about Tiny Homes.

alternative living resources — A Tiny Home Design from The Tiny Heirloom Company

I am a huge fan of tiny homes. The possibilities are endless. Vintage vans conversions fascinate me. Although at this point in my life I am not seeking to make a tiny house my primary home. As a ‘woman cave’ retreat in the woods, one would be ideal. The Franklin Vintage Caravan is a great example of one. Enjoy this video of the renovation project. View photos by Images © Jesz Carroll/YouTube at The Franklin Vintage Caravan Tiny House

Relocate to A Cheaper Area, State or Another Country

Either for a change of scenery or because someone lives on a fixed income, relocating can be a good alternative. There are online resources for all of these options. Chambers of Commerce are a good source of information. Websites for potential expats are as well.

Sources and Resources

My Financial Survival Toolkit from The Viper Tool Storage Company

Yes, You Can Live Rent-Free

Trusted Housesitters

House To Establish Financial Independence

Tiny Heirlooms

The Tiny Heirloom TV Show on The HGTV Network

Tiny House Talk

The Oceanside Retreat, A Tiny Colonial Wonder

Tiny House Newsletter

Simply Enough

Blue Ridge Mountains Simply Enough Tiny Home

Pink Tiny House in Portland, Oregon

10 Tips for Living in Colombia

International Living

Retiring In Belize

Retire in Costa Rica

ALISON D. GILBERT Blog, RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS, THE ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT

POOR MIDDLE CLASS AFFORDABLE HOUSING

December 22, 2016 No Comments

Affordable Housing

Poor Middle Class Affordable Housing is hard to find. But it is a top financial survival toolkit priority. Without it, poor middle class people can fall into the following crises:
• unable to pay bills
• end up in debt
• go hungry nutritionally by eat mostly cheap, unhealthy food
• become homeless
• unable to get proper medical care
• suffer from all of the above

What Is Affordable Housing?

According to Wikipedia, affordable housing is:

Finding Affordable Housing

Our search for poor middle class affordable housing was a nightmare. In fact, it was the hardest part of our financial survival journey. This is because of the following aspects of it:
• the amount of paperwork involved
• a time-consuming application process
• the bureaucratic qualification procedure
• pressure due to our tight deadline

poor middle class affordable housing available by lottery or application — Affordable Housing Available by Lottery and Application from http://www.nyshcr.org/

What Is Subsidized Housing?

According to Wikipedia, subsidized housing is:
• a government sponsored system of economic assistance programs
• designed to alleviate housing costs and expenses
• meant for people in need
• designed for low to moderate income families, seniors and the disabled
• often called, ‘affordable housing’ in the United States

According to Wikipedia, subsidized housing is:

Subsidized Housing Programs

There are several forms of subsidies:
• direct housing subsidies
• non-profit housing
• public housing
• rent supplements
• some forms of co-operative and private sector housing

Those who qualify to apply for subsidized housing must be:
• Families in financial need
• Seniors aged 55 and above
• Disabled people over a certain age

There are two types of management, either government or privately run.

What is Senior Housing?

Senior housing is housing available to independent seniors, aged 55 and older. It is usually subsidized. As a result, it is more affordable than market value housing.

Seeking Senior Housing

There is a huge amount of research and paperwork involved in applying for senior housing. In fact, it is the worst part of the process for us. Each housing project requires its own application. Because of this, I was very overwhelmed. Just the thought of it stopped me from applying originally. But eventually, relocation became an emergency. We were hard pressed to find an affordable place to live. Because municipal senior housing units had several years waiting lists, we did not know what to do. We were on the verge of homelessness.

Here is our strong recommendation. Don’t let this happen to you. Apply for senior housing years before you think you may need it.

Poor Middle Class Affordable Housing — Affordable Senior Housing Becomes Scarce As Boomers Age from SocialSolutions.com

Fortunately, a private senior facility had a vacant unit. Much to our relief, we were accepted within two weeks. But there was one drawback. The only units available were studio apartments. In spite of the size, we grabbed one. As a result, we were set up in our new home within a few weeks. After that, it took another two and a half years to get a one bedroom apartment. When that happened, we felt like we had moved into a palace. In the summertime, we see nothing but tree. It feels like we live in a tree house. It is like heaven.

section 8 is considered affordable housing — Housing Choice Voucher Program, Section 8 Housing from HUD.gov

Section 8 Housing Vouchers

Large apartments buildings and multi-family homes accept Section 8 Housing Vouchers. According to Wikipedia:

poor middle class affodable housing — Section 8 Housing According to Wikipedia

A New Home

Our subsidized apartment is modest. There is no dishwasher. In addition to that, there is no terrace or yard for growing food. There is nowhere to make a compost heap for food garbage. But best of all, having a roof over our heads is a blessing. In addition, we have made a home here. There is a saying, ‘home is where the heart is’.

The next post, Alternative Living Resources begins exploring unique housing opportunities.

Sources & Resources

Viper Tool Storage Company

Subsidized Housing

Affordable Housing

Latest Affordable Housing in NYC Thanks to Mayor di Blasio

Section 8 Housing Voucher Program

Affordable rental units

Affordable Housing

Deal Aims to Keep a Former Welfare Hotel in Manhattan Affordable

Housing Search in NYS

Section 8 Housing Voucher Program

What Is Independent Senior Living?

Affordable Senior Housing Becomes Scarce As Boomers Age

10 Places to Retire and Pay Less Taxes
Senior Living Guide

‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’, Amish Quilt

RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS, The ALISON D. GILBERT Blog, THE ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT

POOR MIDDLE CLASS HOUSING ALTERNATIVES

December 21, 2016 No Comments

Poor Middle Class Housing Alternatives

This is a continuation of the last post, The Poor Middle Class Housing Crisis. In this post, poor middle-class housing alternatives are presented. This can involve some ‘out of the box thinking’ solutions. These tools can include:
1. Downsize possessions
2. Buy or rent a smaller home
3. Rent subsidized or senior housing
4. Find Ways To Live Rent Free
5. Invest In A Tiny House
6. Relocate to a cheaper area, state or country
7. Live off the grid
8. Embrace an RV Lifestyle

Downsizing

Have you ever noticed how many storage facilities there are? This has become a booming industry. We have too much stuff and we don’t know how to part with it. So we rent space to horde it. My rule of thumb is this. If you feel the need to rent a storage space for your overflow of belongings, don’t. Downsize instead.
1. Donate possessions to the Salvation Army or other charity
2. Give things to your children or someone you know who wants and needs them
3. Have a garage sale
4. Sell things online
5. Buy or rent to a smaller, less expensive residence

Buy Or Rent A Smaller Home

It is much easier to go bigger than smaller. But for the poor middle class, the latter may be a necessity. It may be difficult emotionally to let go of a treasured home. But would you rather be in debt in a home you adore or be solvent in a house you can afford? For those in crisis as part of the poor middle class in the US, when it comes to housing selling and downsizing may be the only way to go. Even for those not in crisis, more modest living can open more doors than it closes, financially.

Subsidized Housing

I have found this to be the most challenging, time-consuming and confusing of all the tools for the poor middle-class financial survival toolkit. Because of this, I feel that an entire blog post needs to be dedicated to this issue. In addition, the other tools will also be on an additional post. ‘Out of the box,’ alternative housing is for the poor middle class of all ages, not only seniors.
1. Live Rent Free
2. Invest in a Tiny House
3. Relocate to another area, cheaper state or another country
4. Live Off The Grid

This housing discussion continues with the post, Affordable Housing.

Sources and Resources

Self-Storage Nation

The Viper Tool Storage Company

3 money smart reasons to donwsize

Home Downsizing 101

The Upside of Downsizing Your Home

California Billionaire Proposes Housing The Homeless In Shipping Containers

International Living

How to Downsize Forma Full-Time RV Lifestyle

RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS, The ALISON D. GILBERT Blog, THE ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT

THE POOR MIDDLE CLASS HOUSING CRISIS

December 20, 2016 No Comments

HOUSING THE POOR MIDDLE CLASS

Safe, affordable housing is the foundation for poor middle class survival. How to find and create safe, affordable housing is the focus of this and several additional post in this series. But first, let’s look at housing from both a traditional, indigenous perspective and the modern, industrialized crisis it has become today.

TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS HOUSING

There was a time, and still is a time when indigenous cultures build their own shelters. They use the materials at hand. To us ‘civilized’ folks, their homes may pale in comparison what the poor middle class have in the US. But when looked at from a different perspective, who is the poorer and who is the richer? The above photos display what I consider rustic but magnificent shelters. They are clean, dignified, well constructed and proudly held by their makers.

poor middle class housing — Indigenous, Traditional Shelters from Pinterest

THE CRISIS IN HOUSING

But ‘civilization’ brought about by our industrial age has changed all that in some place. Detroit, for example is a casualty of the demise of the auto manufacturing industry in that city. The working class, once gainfully employed as auto workers have been replaced by the poor middle class. They have fled the city. Anyone who can has left that city. It was left in ruins.

poor middle class housing crisis — Foreclosed Housing on Zillow

A TWO-FOLD CRISIS

But the crisis is two-fold. It is about foreclosure on the homes of the poor middle class due to the inability to pay their mortgages. It then also becomes about finding housing that is affordable, safe and decent. This brings us to the next part of the crisis. It is the need for alternative housing for the poor middle class due to a change in lifestyle affordability.

THE DOWNWARD LIFESTYLE JOURNEY

One of the most difficult parts of becoming a member of the poor middle class is that it is a downward lifestyle journey. This process involves letting go of new, even luxurious material things that we could once provide for ourselves. Then there needs to be an admission of needing help and an acceptance of getting that help from others. This is not glamourous. I have found that it can feel very humiliating. Then it becomes humbling because it is about survival.

ALTERNATIVE HOUSING

Alternative housing can involve pursuing traditional means of seeking less expensive housing. It can also involve some ‘out of the box thinking’ solutions. Either way all are potential and important tools to have in our Poor Middle Class Financial Survival ToolKit. They can include:
• Downsizing to a smaller residence
• Subsidized and senior housing
• Tiny Houses
• Living off the grid
• Moving to a cheaper area, state or country

A discussion about poor middle class housing resources begins in the next post, Poor Middle Class Alternative Housing.

SOURCES & RESOURCES

Dealing With Foreclosure

In Today’s Market, We’re A Hot Commodity

Foreclosed Housing on Zillow

Share this:
Tweet
Share on Tumblr
More
Pocket
Print
Email
Like this:
Like Loading...

Continue Reading

RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS, The ALISON D. GILBERT Blog, THE ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT

THE POOR MIDDLE CLASS CRISIS: Introduction

December 11, 2016 No Comments

INTRODUCTION
The Poor Middle Class Crisis is the story of The Poor Middle Class. It is designed to be a resources guide for the Financial Survival of the Poor Middle Class. This guide is an instruction manual for building resources known as a ‘financial survival toolkit’. It also encourages readers to start or find and participate in a ‘financial survival support group or community’.

The Poor Middle Class, itself, is a relatively new phenomenon. Our personal membership was precipitated by the 2008 stock market crash the same week as a primary income earners job layoff. For others families, becoming affected by the poor middle class crisis may have been due to the subprime mortgage scandal. It cost many families their homes. The Poor Middle Class are composed of people who were once middle class, who likely have college degrees or advanced degrees, had careers and good jobs, had homes with equity in them, had pensions, had good health insurance and savings.

45 million Americans rely on food stamps, 1 million about to lose them – report from @Jim Young/Reuters

The Challenge for The Poor Middle Class
Financial survival has become a critical issue for the Poor Middle Class. This is a crisis that has led to the growing need for new, resourceful financial survival tools. These tools are not exclusive to one demographic, one age group, a particular sex, or one location. But because I am a ‘senior’ living in New York State, some of the tools and resources may apply specifically to people in this demographic.

As a result, I especially welcome your comments and additional suggestions to expand the resources for anyone’s financial survival toolkit. Therefore, I invite you to visit and participate in my companion Facebook page, The Poor Middle Class Crisis & Resources.

‘The Secret Shame of Middle Class Americans’ from ‘My Secret Shame’ from The Atlantic by Neal Gabler

Financial Survival
Now, we have almost nothing left of that life. But we are not technically poor. Therefore we do not qualify for the level of government benefits reserved for those living in poverty. But we are no longer middle class, either. We are in a place where we cannot meet the obligations of a middle class lifestyle. But we are not poor enough to get enough assistance to survive, either. We also are unable to find or maintain jobs like we had before the financial crisis began. The result is that we need to become very resourceful to survive. Therefore, I needed to gather new financial survival resources. I have created a ‘Financial Survival ToolKit’ in my mind to transform this crisis into an adventure rather than a place of fear.

From ‘Americans on Food Stamps’

My Financial Survival Toolkit
It has taken me years to compile the resources, tips and suggestions I have in my financial survival toolkit. In addition, I continue to add to it. I am a visual person so I find it helpful to choose visual tools to help me implement concepts and ideas. I love the cabinets and tool boxes created by the The Viper Tool Storage Company. Therefore I chose one of their set ups to be my virtual financial survival toolkit. Many of my real tools are based on my own experience. Some are based on ideas and tips I have gathered on my financial survival journey. There may be resources that you already use. Other tips and tools may be new, hopefully useful suggestions. I also welcome any input and suggestions you may have. Please enter them in the comments section.

A Financial Survival Toolkit for gathering all my Finaincial Survival Tools that can be bougt at the Viper Tool Storage Company in mnay cheerful colors

Financial Overview
I keep an overview of my monthly finances at all times. This means that I monitor my income and expenses with the benefit of online banking, automatic bill paying and computerized bookkeeping. It includes payment of most of my bills by autopay after my monthly income becomes available. There is a flow to all of this. It has taken me some time to create a system to coordinate the ins and outs of it. Sometimes I feel like a juggler. At other times, I still feel like a beginner.

The Poor Middle Class Crisis And Solutions
There are plenty of financial survival tools following this post in the series, The Poor Middle Class. The next post is A BUDGET: THE MOST ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL SURVIVAL TOOL FOR THE POOR MIDDLE CLASS. Read it and others on The Alison D. Gilbert Blog.

Sources & Resources
I’m Middle Class and Poor: It wasn’t supposed to be that way

5 Charts That Show How the Middle Class Are Disappearing

Americans on Foodstamps

Subprime Mortgage Crisis

Lest We Forget: Why We Had A Financial Crisis

The Secret Shame of Middle Class Americans

My Secret Shame from The Atlantic by Neal Gabler

Your Stories of Financial Struggle

Americans are trapped in a ‘cycle’ of financial insecurity

Young Invincibles, Financial Health

Report on Financial Health of Young Americans

How To Combat The Senior Poverty Epidemic

White Working Class Poverty

Parents Taking on Child’s College Debt and Putting Themselves at Financial Risk

5 Great Jobs for Retirees

Viper Tool Storage Box aka My Financial Survival Toolkit

Share this:
Tweet
Share on Tumblr
More
Pocket
Print
Email
Like this:
Like Loading...

Continue Reading

RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS, SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

An A.M. News Correspondent on AmericaMatters.us

May 19, 2015 No Comments

Becoming an A.M. News Correspondent on America Media Matters

I became an A.M. News on America Matters Media Correspondent on February 10, 2015, only two months and a few days ago. I had no idea how much starting my day with one simple phone call would elevate my life to such a joyful place to start each day. A.M. News Host, Eddie Floyd and A.M. News co-host Dennis Romeo have created a warm, entertaining and informative format.

America Matter Media brand and information

It is very simple to become a correspondent. First, ‘Listen Live’ online at amm.streamon.fm. The show is on from 6 am PT to 9 am PT or the equivalent in your own timezone. Once you have a feel for the content and pace of the show, call in toll-free at 844-790-8255, text, 775-384-4444 or facebook message on A.M. News On AmericaMatters.US. You will be given a correspondent number. We have both United States and Foreign correspondents.

What A.M. News Is About

Everyone shares their first name, where they are from, the local weather, their local events and their personal activities, too. I get to share my specialty. I am the ‘Healthy Living’ Correspondent. There is an intense interest in learning about nonprofit activities and organizations around the world that correspondents as well as listeners can participate in. Many nonprofits have gotten exposure and support by joining the show. People needing prayers are welcome to call in for help and support. The show has become a loving, caring, informative community of ‘local-global’ neighbors.

The A.M. News Facebook Page

A.M. News Broadcasts and Promotes Itself Using Cutting Edge Technology

A.M. News, online radio, makes the most of the latest in social media technology. There is a facebook group, listing as many correspondents as possible. The image below shows what a correspondent listing looks like. There is a correspondent post and then room for commenting by both the correspondent and others. There is also an A.M. News facebook page that is posted to daily by our hosts, with information about the show, specialty facebook pages like Truckers, Troopers and Lady Law Enforcers shown below, an America Matter Media website and more coming.

Alison D. Gilbert post and group comments.

What Our Global Group of International Correspondents Does

There are over 1,600 correspondents from around the globe. We learn about people that we would otherwise never meet. We are updated with local news, globally. We support nonprofit organizations that are run by our correspondents and we connect with each other outside of the show. There are also 1.5 million listeners who benefit from listening to our show.

1st Annual A.M. News Convention Facebook Page

The A.M. News Correspondent Family

Our group of worldwide correspondents have become like a family. Correspondents have become good friends. We are in touch outside of the show. Some of us are even on other americamatters.us shows as well. We are also planning to have our 1st Annual Correspondents Convention in Reno, Nevada as soon as we can organize it.

We have also formed correspondent groups that fit into special, specific categories. One of those, displayed as a facebook page, is Truckers, Troopers and Lady Law Enforcers.

The Truckers, Troopers and Lady Law Enforcers Facebook page

Teresa’s Garage on america matters media, part of NEVADA MATTERS INC.

Teresa’s Garage is dedicated to helping women learn more about automotive care. The reason it is being mentioned on this post is because Teresa’s pit crew are all correspondents of A.M. News. Teresa is a correspondent, too. We are one big family on NEVADA MATTTERS INC. There are more shows to come that our correspondents are also participating in.

The Teresa’s Garage Facebook Page

Saving The Best For Last, Talent Matters

As if being an A.M. News Correspondent were not special enough, we are now providing an opportunity for every correspondent to show their amateur talent to the world. Go the the facebook page of Talent Matters and get all of the instructions for submitting your one minute talent clip. Your talent clip will be posted on TALENT MATTERS social media including facebook, YouTube Google+ along with professional guest talent clips. This is the venue for you if you are just aching to show of your hidden talent. Only amateurs may compete but pros can submit guest clips to also be played on our new Internet radio show, Talent Matters, coming soon to americamatters.us.

The Talent Matters Facebook Page Cover

An Invitation: Become An A.M. News Correspondent and Part of Our Family

Becoming an A.M. News correspondent has been such a special experience and it keeps getting better. Everyone gets to tell their ‘local’ story, share their special and unique activities. Connecting and networking with other worldwide correspondents can be fascinating and eye opening.

Here’s what I think about all of this. Let’s connect everyone in the world. Let’s share important information and have some fun doing it spending up to three hours a day together, Monday through Friday. It will become more apparent that we are all one family, the human family. As we get to know each other better, we will be able to make a better world. This planet is our home, everyone’s home. As Lawrence R. Gelber founder of #IDWP would say, I Declare World Peace.

I Declare World Peace Facebook Page

Share this:
Tweet
Share on Tumblr
More
Pocket
Print
Email
Like this:
Like Loading...

Continue Reading

RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS

Matterness by Allison Fine

March 22, 2015 No Comments

This is the pdf of a presentation made by Allison Fine on January 29, 2015 called Matterness. It is highly recommended by Mark Horvath.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Share this:
Tweet
Share on Tumblr
More
Pocket
Print
Email
Like this:
Like Loading...

Continue Reading

FOOD & HEALING JOURNEY, RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS

Vacant Lot In Wyoming To Become One Of World’s First Vertical Farms

March 1, 2015 No Comments

This vertical farm is expected to produce 100,000 pounds of vegetables per year.

Source: theantimedia.org

Despite some real questions and concerns, I think this has tremendous potential.

See on Scoop.it – The Food rEvolution

Share this:
Tweet
Share on Tumblr
More
Pocket
Print
Email
Like this:
Like Loading...

Continue Reading

FOOD & HEALING JOURNEY, RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS, THE ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT

Help, I need a wool soup recipe.

October 11, 2014 No Comments

Help, I need a wool soup recipe
So far no one has come up with a wool soup recipe for me. Why do I need one? you may ask. Well, it involves a story. So I hope you don’t mind. Have a seat and make yourself at home.

In 2008, when the stock market crashed . . . . Let’s stop right there and go to a shorter version of my story. We are part of The Middle Class Poor. We get food stamps, go to food pantries and get assistance for living. I am not sure how much living one can call this when food stamps is $17 per month (it went up from $15!). Food pantries have no food we can eat. That is where the wool soup recipe comes into the story.

Turning a worn out swimming pool into a source of food for a family from ‘GardenPool’

One of the food pantries we go to is in a church that has a wealthy congregation. I get clothes from Talbot, Lord & Taylor and lots of other prestigious names. It is fun to get new clothes each month. But I need food. I need real food not peanut butter and jelly or mac ‘n cheese. So therein lies my problem. I had become clothes rich and food poor. If I could only find a wool soup recipe, then I could be both food and clothes rich. No wool soup recipe has appeared or is likely to do so in the near future. It became apparent to me that I would have to find another solution to our hunger/nutrition crisis. I decided to call it The Food Project.

Art & Bytes, The Food Project

The first idea was something called, Donate It Local. I started my research by going around to local restaurants and supermarkets to see if they would like to donate food that was not used up by the end of the day or was about to expire. The answer was the same everywhere. ‘Sorry, but we can’t risk the liability if someone gets sick’. ‘If someone gets sick’, I thought. Hah, I’ll risk it. It’s better than going hungry. But not as far as the powers that be saw it. They could only respond in terms of their potential legal situation instead of the real food/nutrition crisis.

An attempt to enlist local stores and restaurants to donate fresh food.

My next effort was part of the Global Food rEvolution. The focus was on fighting for healthier, non-gmo food. I participated in that for a while by posting about everything to do with GMOs and their danger. I also announced all the marches and activities I could for Occupy Monsanto and other such rallies. But we were still hungry and the amount of money we had available for food when our food stamps were cut from $367/month to $15/month was a shocking wake-up call that we had to do some thing more immediate and personal.

The Occupy Monsanto Facebook page felt like right approach at first

But my Global Food rEvolution was feeling more subdued, peaceful and based in my gut.

Back to Basics and Millenial Food Freedom felt more personal and hands on for us than ‘occupying’ a global corporation. I began to make my own laundry detergent and thought about other ways to save money.

What a great feeling to make something yourself and not buy it prepared

Millenial Food Freedom provides probiotics lemonade now not after the Food Revolution

When we were receiving $367/month in food stamps, I was able to food shop in our local health food supermarket and get the kind of foods we needed to stay healthy. One of my favorites had become Kombucha. It is a fermented tea that is high in probiotics, energy boosting and very healthy. But at $3.50 a bottle and $15/month in food stamps, a disparity existed-no more store bought Kombucha. So I started to make my own. I became more involved in making other fermented foods and drinks too. For fun, I named my efforts, Ali’s Kombucha Kitchen.

Ali’s Kombucha Kitchen is where the miracle of fermentation takes place every day

I now spend most of my time in Ali’s Kombucha Kitchen as A Food Fermentation Farmer doing what I call, Fermented Food Farming. I have no land. I have no garden. I do not have a single flower pot. But I have managed to learn how to cook, prepare and preserve fermented and cultured food stuffs that are nutrient rich and delicious.

The bounty of A Food Fermentation Farmer

The tools for Fermented Food Farming

One of my traditional nutrition favorites is bone broth. It is as old as the hills as are many of the other culturally indigenous foods and beverages I am learning to make. Many of these traditions have Facebook groups where I can meet other like-minded folks and discuss our experiences.

The BoneBroth Pot Group Image on Facebook

We still have a ways to go. But I already feel as warm and nourished inside like when I have a wool sweater or skirt on the outside. I may not have found my wool soup recipe. But wool has led me in the right direction. I will not rest until I have found The 100 Percent Solution for the hunger/nutrition crisis for everyone.

The 100 Percent Project’s goal is the solution to global hunger and malnturtion

Share this:
Tweet
Share on Tumblr
More
Pocket
Print
Email
Like this:
Like Loading...

Continue Reading

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »