gypsyuniverse

[gypsyuniverse]

Three Easy Steps to Step Up Your Health

1. Buy Dried Beans and Soak Them

You may not know it but beans aren't grown in a can! I learned a few years ago the health benefits of buying dried beans and cooking them myself, and now I can't imagine any other way. Not only are dried bulk beans more sustainable (less processing and packaging), they are way cheaper and taste SO much better than the canned counterpart. Just soak them overnight, boil them for 25 minutes and add spices of your liking!

Beans are excellent sources of fiber, folate, plant protein, plant iron, vitamin B1, and minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and copper.

The sodium content of canned beans can be 100x more than dried.

Canned beans may also contain other chemicals or preservatives for increased shelf life. 

Soaking dried beans in water overnight speeds up the cooking process and increases digestibility by breaking down sugars known to cause bloating and gas.

Soaking also reduces phytic acid, a compound which reduces the bioavailability of many of the beans nutrients, AKA it is a barrier to your body actually absorbing the nutrients.

So next time you're at the store, bring your jar and stock up on your favorite beans! You do need to plan ahead so if you think you want taco night or chickpea "tuna" this week, remember to soak your beans in a bowl the night before! I promise once you start it becomes habit. 

*Pro-Tip - This applies for rice as well! Soak your rice overnight for health benefit and faster cook time!

2. Ditch The Dairy

If you're still consuming dairy, even just as creamer in your coffee or the occasional ice cream splurge, it's time to migrate away from that ish. (I PROMISE YOU CAN STILL HAVE N'ICE CREAM)

Female dairy cows need to breast feed their young in order to produce milk (like humans), which means they are constantly impregnated at unnatural rates by artificial insemination on a machine that the industry refers to as the rape rack.

In addition to the natural hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that a pregnant mother produces, milk contains high levels of synthetic hormones known as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) which are commonly used in dairy production to increase levels of milk. 

Dairy cows are "designed" to produce 10X more milk than normal, over 100 gallons per day by machine, with the use of rBGH.

An increased exposure to these hormones increases the risk of cancer and can disrupt the human endocrine system, especially in woman and developing young females.

The whole "Got Milk" campaign was a lie. High levels of acidity in milk actually cause your body to LEACH calcium from your bones, resulting in calcium deficiency instead of abundance! #proteinpropaganda at it's finest.

Let me break it down for ya. Dairy acidifies the body's PH. Calcium is a neutralizer and the biggest calcium store in our bodies is in our bones. So, we drink milk, PH acidifies, our bones release our existing calcium to balance our PH and then we pee it out! Dairy Industry 1, Calcium 0.

Numerous studies show that countries with the lowest dairy consumption have the lowest cases of osteoporosis, and vice versa.

Mastitis is a very common infection affecting cow udders due to the abusive milking conditions so antibiotics are widely used.

Ditch the dairy, goodbye antibiotic resistance!!

*Watch "What The Health" if you haven't already!

Rounding into 2018 there are no more excuses! There are 10 kinds of nut milks on the market and if you have a decent blender you can make your own at home! My favorite is cashew milk and you can check out my recipe here.

3. Choose Whole Over Processed

Not only are buying whole foods better for your body, it's also better for the planet! Processed foods not only requires the key ingredients, but also the water and fuel used to create plastic packaging and machinery, resources for workers and shipping, and so on. Here are some examples of ways to choose the whole version over the processed.

Potatoes VS Potato Chips

Make crispy potatoes at home! Just slice your favorite potato, spice it up with some coconut oil and pop it in the oven. It's that easy, super delicious and nutritious without all the vegetable oils, salts, and packaging.

Bulk Corn Kernels

You think popcorn is addicting now? Wait until you pour those organic kernels in your kitchen pot with a couple spoonfuls of coconut oil and watch those babies pop. Add some of your favorite spices (even some coconut sugar and pink salt for homemade kettle corn!) mix it up and voila! Save yourself from the chemical junk and the microwave waves.

 Fresh Bakery Bread Over Bagged

I may be biased because I am from NY, the home of the bagel, and I now live in San Francisco, the mecca of Sour Dough bread, but regardless, fresh bread is better.

Fresh bread is baked with few, local ingredients and does not contain any preservatives! Buy a big loaf, slice it up and freeze it so you always have yummy fresh bread on hand. 

Typical store bought bread can contain upwards of 10 ingredients, most are chemical fillers and preservatives that contain no nutritional value whatsoever. When was your bread made??? If it never goes bad, that may not be a good thing.

Ingredients in Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat Bread: WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, SUGAR, WHEAT GLUTEN, SOYBEAN OIL, YEAST, MOLASSES, OAT FIBER, SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, BUTTER* (MILK), CALCIUM PROPIONATE AND SORBIC ACID TO EXTEND FRESHNESS, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SOY LECITHIN, WHEY*, CITRIC ACID. *ADDS A TRIVIAL AMOUNT OF CHOLESTEROL. 

The local bread I buy:  Flour, water, & salt.

Local bakery bread will be more expensive but usually the loaves are GIANT and last me about two weeks stored in the freezer, for both my boyfriend and I. So no it's not a $2 loaf it's more like $10 but if you're reading this on a $300+ device... what's your health worth?

You Get The Idea - Choose WHOLE over Processed!

That's where I will leave you for now! Take it one step at a time. A good place to start is to practice shopping the bulk isle; stock up on some beans, nuts, rice, and popcorn. The next time you're craving a packaged item, see what it would take for you to make your own version. If you have questions I'd love to hear them, and

If you need more inspiration, I'd love to share my FREE mini audio series:

[gypsyuniverse]

East Meets West

For five years I have been devoted to keeping my body as healthy as possible. However for the first 22 years of my life I did not think much about my health. I grew up in New York in an upper-middle class suburb of Manhattan. I ate a fairly traditional American diet yet always enjoyed home-cooked meals over take-out. A typical day in the life consisted of fruity pebbles for breakfast (with 2% cows milk), tuna-fish and tomato on an everything bagel, snacking on string cheese or goldfish, and for dinner I was most likely eating spaghetti and meatballs or grilled chicken with vegetables.  I was athletic and pretty healthy besides the occasional cold or flu, for which I ingested antibiotics and matzoh ball soup. 

After years of distorted self image and body issues I watched a documentary about factory farming that forever changed the way I viewed animals, my body, and our planet. I had no idea how impactful that one day would become. 

My wellness journey is constantly evolving which is why I love it so much. When I first transitioned to Veganism I felt deprived, judgmental, and filled with anger. Through documentaries, certifications and life experiences I have educated myself and fallen in love with living holistically. I am constantly learning new things about my body and using nature to support my health. I converted self-hate into self-love and have discovered my true purpose. I wish everyone could feel this way! I have accepted that I can only control my own choices and lead by example, so here I am :) .

In 2011 I quit coffee, tylenol, antibiotics, and switched to an all organic diet which includes the products I use on my skin and hair. All of these changes happened gradually over the course of five years, not overnight. The most difficult thing is interacting with people who are critical because they do not understand, however I have learned not to take it personally.  I crave acai bowls, I soak my grains and beans, and I excessively indulge in dark chocolate. I absolutely love it all.

I tackle cravings and obstacles one by one until they are managed and then I move on to the next. The key word is managed; dietary restrictions do not need to be all or nothing. I decide I am ready to change a habit, not necessarily eliminate a food altogether yet sometimes I do that as well. First was dairy, next was coffee (I read Skinny Bitch and was inspired to kick my caffeine addiction), and more recently I have been limiting my intake of bread and other processed carbohydrates.  Normally the dietary shift sticks for good and becomes much more natural once I feel the benefits. 

My most recent experiment has been dissecting my relationship with sugar and monitoring how it affects me, although my sweet tooth seems to be winning this round but not the battle! I am not down on myself; each endeavor is crucial to the process. 

Now that you know a little about my background, I would like to share something that recently happened to me which inspired me to write this particular post.  For a while I have been struggling with the American healthcare system and the overuse of Western medication.  One of my favorite things about living a holistic lifestyle is using natural remedies for common ailments that most people turn to chemical medication for. I used to always carry Tylenol in my purse but now my essentials are apple cider vinegar, garlic capsules, coconut oil, and Tea Tree, to name a few.  For the past five years, I have refused to turn to Western medicine because I have always found the solution with natural medicine first.

Unfortunately, nine weeks ago I learned the very, very hard way the brilliance of Western medicine and its necessity.

I was in a severe car accident; the car crashed into a telephone pole and crushed me in my seat. I broke my pelvis and my spine, tore a few organs, bled internally and externally, ripped up my hand, got a concussion, had pneumonia and endured many other frightful and painful complications. I was bedridden in the hospital for six weeks with no choice but to accept Western medicine to save me, and it did.

What I have realized through this experience is that there is a vital place for Western medicine.  It truly saved my life. I endured excessive radiation exposure from countless x-rays and cat-scans however they were necessary in order to understand and treat my life-threatening injuries. I was rushed into surgery at 1am to drain an infection which almost killed me. I underwent two blood transfusions and many other miraculous procedures. The doctors told me that I am lucky to be alive; lucky that my body responded so well to the medications; lucky that I have little nerve damage / can feel my legs; and lucky that although broken, my body remained in alignment and I should make a full recovery in six to twelve months.

Yes, I am extremely grateful, however I do not give luck credit for my body surviving this trauma. I know that the past five years have prepared me to withstand the worst struggles imaginable. It was not luck that used visualization techniques to support my heart and organs while in the hospital. Luck did not do yoga and pilates three times a week for five years. Luck did not get a massage instead of taking pain-killers.  Luck did not eat an abundance of organic vegetables and superfoods daily. The choices I have made saved my life, together with medication and the unbelievable team of doctors and nurses that cared for me around the clock. It is the combination of Eastern and Western medicine (and a seatbelt!) that I have to thank.

I cannot neglect to thank my amazing boyfriend, parents, family and friends for their overwhelming support! For that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

I am so happy to be alive and healing but my bones are still broken and I am in terrible pain. I have tried to stop taking narcotics but my body is not ready yet. It is difficult for me to accept dependence on Western medicine because I have fought so hard against it. Yet I understand now, that in many circumstances, it is 100% necessary and an absolute blessing.

What I cannot accept is how easy it is to fill a prescription of powerful, dangerous narcotics yet it costs NOTHING. I literally paid $0 at the pharmacy. What incentive is there to try an alternative, preventative approach when medication (which can have many disruptive side effects) costs little to nothing?

Why should I choose a health provider who is caring for my body based on what insurance approves? It is not fair nor right. I have a $25 co-pay for my current MD care, yet I pay $120 per treatment for a session of acupuncture. My therapist is my hero! She is an amazing healer who I plan to write about soon.  She deserves the same respect, recognition, and support that the rest of my medical professionals have. 

I have also recently seen a primary care physician, an orthopedist, a physical therapist and a psychotherapist.  The two doctors who are ready and willing to provide me with the prescriptions I may need barely interact with my body. They are extremely knowledgable and I appreciate their care and what I learn from them, however neither ask me about my diet nor lifestyle and how it may effect my broken bones. On the other hand, my healer cannot wait to physically connect with my muscles, bones, and learn what is going on in my life and mind. My point is not that one is better than the other, but that the combination is the key to ideal health. We deserve and need equal access to both!

My goal in sharing this is to pour a little knowledge into your mind and shake it up a bit. Are you stuck? Do you have a chronic ailment you cannot shake? Maybe it is consistent headaches, dry skin, congestion.. maybe it is time to try a new solution? I have experienced and overcome these obstacles and ones much worse. We never think terrible things will happen to us, but the reality is that accidents and illnesses happen; is your body prepared for trauma?

My favorite person Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Eastern medicine is powerful and unless there is a demand for it, the insurance companies will never subsidize it. I encourage you to try something different. Next time you experience an achy muscle, acid reflux, or any other uncomfortable bodily symptom, I urge you to google "natural remedy for ______" and I guarantee the results will satisfy you!

(or check out this amazing site!)

I am a New Yorker at heart; fast paced, passionate, and impatient at times. I now live in California and have gradually slowed down and become more aware and accepting of my surroundings. I love both places as each has contributed to my growth in different, monumental ways. Combining Eastern and Western modalities has been a solution to physical and emotional traumas I have experienced and I believe the separation between the two could be the root of our worlds greatest struggles. We are too often placed into a box, labeled, and constricted.  By remaining open to others' ideas and ways of life there is opportunity for growth, healing and peace. We do not have to choose sides; we can harness a world of knowledge from both East and West and find balance in-between. All it takes is accepting something new and different and being open to the outcome. Healthy wishes to all! Xoxo

Alexa

[gypsyuniverse]

Learning to Love My Body

Learning To Love Your Body

I became vegan five years ago this month. It has been an unexpected, yet transformative journey. Before the switch I constantly worried about my weight and I was never happy with my physical appearance. My thighs and arms were too fat and my face was too round. My stomach was lumpy and I hated my cellulite and stretch marks. I remember these feelings starting around the time I entered puberty.

I always loved food, and had a very large appetite. The family joke was that I would eat more than my siblings at mealtime, including my older brother. I had a tendency to over eat and as I got older it began to catch up with me. Or at least I thought so?

I played sports my whole life but despite my active lifestyle and athletic figure I developed a distorted body image as I matured. I would overeat and then deprive myself… which led me to overeat again. It was a vicious cycle. It got worse as I went away to college; I gained and lost 30 pounds in two years and when I hit 180 pounds my self esteem was lower than ever.

When I was on a healthy kick I did enjoy dieting and was good at it. I attended Weight Watchers meetings and was disciplined when I would go out to eat. I would feel great about myself for a few weeks, but then I would have a late night binge and make myself sick. I woke up feeling terrible about myself both physically and mentally. I would give up on the diet and fall back into old patterns. I associated food with guilt and I accepted that as normal.

I loved cheese just as much as anyone else. I consumed about five to six servings per day on average. Muenster slices were a staple of every meal and in between. Even when I was “dieting” I did not have the willpower to overcome my cravings for pizza, chicken parmesan, string cheese, etc. Although my feelings of self hate and desire to lose weight were strong, they were not not enough to stop me from eating the foods that caused me the most guilt.

(If I had a dollar for every time I heard, “But OMG I could never give up cheese,”…)

In May of 2011 I consciously chose to stop consuming animal products for ethical and health reasons. I watched a documentary showing the torture that is factory farming, and was shocked by the environmental havoc it is wreaking. I was specifically appalled and distraught by the standard dairy industry practices. The entire industry is a horrifying nightmare for both the cows, calves, and our planet. My heart breaks every time I see the absurd volume of milk gallons lining the supermarket shelves, or children leaving an ice cream shop. It is so engrained into our culture we don’t even question it’s ethics.

I was also addicted to coffee, bagels, pizza, boneless spare ribs, potato chips.. the usual processed, dead foods that makes up the standard american diet. Today I can confidently say that I have quit eating the foods that once had such a hold over me. However, one big lesson I’ve learned is that it is not about deprivation; if I am in the mood for some french fries, I enjoy them and move on. No guilt, no great debate. The best part is that most of the time I don’t even want them so it’s an easy choice.

Throughout the past five years I’ve noticed people admiring my willpower, but what they don’t understand is that I have the same willpower I always did. The difference is that I don’t want cheese, or bagels, or any processed foods anymore, so the decision is not a decision at all.

My mindset towards my body has totally shifted. I no longer worry about my weight, which is amazing! It is still hard for me to believe that I love the way I look and feel (MOST of the time). I used to weigh myself twice a day and now I don’t own a scale. I challenge you to lose your scale. It is one of the most liberating things I’ve ever done. I get weighed a few times a year at the doctor and it is always the same. I have leveled at about 150 pounds give or take a few yet I feel smaller and healthier as the years go on. I do admit that of course at times I feel waves of my old self hate; I see my distorted reflection again through my own eyes. I see the same body that I was satisfied with yesterday, yet now there is fat in places that wasn’t there, and dark circles under my eyes that I never noticed. However, I have an awareness that I did not have before. I had hateful thoughts and feelings about myself for most of my life and that takes time and focused energy to heal. Through self-care such as meditation and writing I remind myself how healthy and perfect my body is.

I used to hate my body and now I love it.

The change is in learning to appreciate the beauty and miracle that is the human body. I had a realization about six months ago. I was in a barre class at the gym, working out in front of a mirrored wall. I had a moment where I looked at myself and really saw me, and I realized how amazing I was. I don’t mean that narcissistically; my mind was just seeing my body for what it was — a self sufficient vessel allowing me to live my life. I beat it up in the gym, I exhaust it day and night dancing at festivals, I hunch uncomfortably at a desk all day and barely give it a break.. I stared at it in awe, mesmerized and grateful for having all of my limbs intact, for my beautiful curves, strong, clear senses, and a beating heart.

How can we hate our one and only body?

Once I realized that this is the only body I have and I need to live in it for the rest of my life, that’s when it clicked, “Wow, I better take care of this thing!” But how?

First, take a look at what you are putting into your body. We have the choice to either support health and immunity with natural substances or challenge our biological functions with chemicals and toxins.

Begin to be aware of how you talk (think) to your body. Do you talk down to it? Do you look at yourself and feel fat, ugly, and disgusted? Do you guilt yourself after overeating? This needs to stop! It will not happen overnight but the first step is the consciousness behind these actions.

(“Be gentle with yourself, you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars..” — Max Ehrmann)

I once felt and thought all of those hateful, hurtful, shameful thoughts. I was in pain but it was all I knew. I learned to retrain my mind by replacing hateful with grateful. I know it sounds corny but it is the truth. I began to feel appreciation for all of my moving parts, for an instinctive beating heart and breathing lungs, for our effortless ability to heal. Think about the power of speech and the ability for our brains to communicate with our lips.. The brain is phenomenal. Today I look in the mirror and even when I’m not feeling 100%, I still always feel the love and appreciation for how strong and precious my body is, and I tell myself that. It is not uncommon for me to say out loud, “Body I love you!! Thank you for being so strong!” (It is also not uncommon for those comments to come after a festival bender or some other not so restful venture..) Life is about balance right?

The last piece might be the most important. How do you FEEL? Do you feel tired, bloated, foggy, deprived, weak, heavy? Our physical feelings are great indications of the thoughts we are having. This has helped me more than anything.

When I eat healthy and FEEL light, I look at myself in the mirror and I am satisfied with my physical appearance. Everyone knows that after a week of solid workouts and healthy meals you feel super fit; that is the best! Realistically your body has not physically changed that drastically in one week but your view is completely different. And conversely, we’ve all experienced a lazy weekend laying on the couch eating ice cream and watching reruns of Friends.. That Monday after we change out of our sweats we feel full and gross, but we also THINK we look fat. Our shape does not change that suddenly; our physical self-reflection is truly in our minds.

I live a wholistic lifestyle because it feels too good not to!

Each time I overindulge I do it less and less, because I am reminded that I don’t want to feel that way. KEY POINT — indulging is natural! No one makes the “right” decision every time, but our choices do not need to be buried in guilt and shame. Succumbing to the momentary pleasures of eating toxic foods is a facade that can be overcome, I promise you this. This is how I am evolving, and over time these small changes have transformed my self-perspective and self-care practices.

This transition began quite suddenly for me and there were two driving factors. Firstly, realizing that the core function of my body is most important, not the physical appearance. That concept resonated with me and completely changed my point of view.

The second piece was realizing the detrimental impact that the animal agriculture industry has on the planet. (If you have still not seen Cowspiracy, WATCH IT!)

Those two ideas together are what drove me to make drastic lifestyle changes and those same factors continue to motivate me today. I only want the best quality substances inside and on my body. I am no longer tempted by the foods that used to control me. I used to order the sampler platter at the diner with extra ranch (my friends can vouch for that) and now those same foods sadden and disgust me. Knowledge is willpower.

Knowledge can also not be unlearned.

This is where my neurosis comes in a bit. I don’t have a problem saying no to what others may feel are tempting foods. YAY! This is because I am obsessed with keeping toxins out of my body. However as we know in our society, unfortunately that is nearly impossible, so when I eat something that does contain preservatives or chemicals it gives me anxiety. Contrary to my past it is not because I am scared of gaining weight, now I stress because I am scared of damaging or weakening my body. My thoughts align with a condition called Orthorexia, which is an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder relating to obsession with healthy eating. I’ve learned to remind myself that my body is strong and has sustained years of abuse, it can handle some toxins.

I try not to let it interfere with my social life but it would be a lie if I said it didn’t. When going out to eat with friends I always check the menu so that I am prepared and know the options that will be the healthiest for my body. Luckily these days most restaurants are able to accommodate! However for my own sanity I need to check beforehand. I was never a fan of boozy brunches but now I have absolutely no desire. I don’t eat eggs or meat and not into bottomless mimosas (one to two will surely give me a headache.) I’ve learned that I prefer preparing my own food, and when eating out I need to be very specific choosing conscious restaurants that source local ingredients and promote healthy eating. The great thing about the health revolution is that these places are becoming easier and easier to find, especially in San Francisco.

I admit it can be stressful at times, trying to keep my body free from toxins. However is it really a bad thing that I love my body SO freaking much? It is the most amazing polarity from my past of hating it and being disgusted by it. I only want to feed it the highest quality, nutrient dense, yummy goodness! My goal is to reach my peak health and maintain that for the rest of my life!

If you’ve wondered about veganism or vegetarianism but are detered because you don’t think you could do it, I hope you can see that your body learns to love the wholistic lifestyle. It is about much more than saving animal lives, but that in itself is unbelievably rewarding. Our nutrition is about learning to love our bodies and planet, and to support physical health instead of disease.

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and feel the cool air spreading to each inch of your body. Pick one aspect you love about your body and be filled with gratitude for it. Instead of focusing on what you don’t love, make an effort to focus on how amazing you are and how strong your body is!

If you have any questions about learning to love your body, or anything at all, please contact me (wellness@theinspireduniverse.com). This journey for me as been isolated but yours doesn’t have to be.

Here’s to living forever,

Alexa

[gypsyuniverse]

Becoming an Entrepreneur

I’ve always had many passions. Throughout my childhood in New York I played multiple sports (softball, basketball, soccer), I danced, took piano lessons, played flute in all county orchestra, loved to write short stories and even tried acting at one point (it was not for me). After high school it was time for me to decide what career I wanted for the rest of my life. I had no clue.

I attended Penn State University and chose to study communications with a focus on advertising and public relations. I thought that advertising would allow me to utilize my creative skills and writing skills which I felt were my strengths.  Reality was strikingly different than my expectation; I discovered that I actually passionately hated advertising. Well at least I was able to cross that off the list.

Fast forward six years, I am 27 years old living in San Francisco, California. I work in sales for a wellness software company, I have a few wellness certifications and am also a singer with multiple music projects. And guess what? I STILL don’t know what I want to do! But recently I’ve realized that the reason I’ve felt confused is because I never wanted to focus on just one of my passions. Why should I have to? I love wellness, I love music, I love writing, I love fitness, and after attending an event a few weeks ago I finally realized that I can do it all.

This particular event was hosted by the MINDBODY One Community (http://www.mbonecommunity.com). MB One is a network of wellness professionals brought together to learn, teach, vent, and discuss all of the trials and rewards of being a wellness/fitness professional. Most of the attendees of this first event were business owners but there were also some managers in attendance. The businesses ranged from yoga studios, to spas, fitness studios (barre, pilates, spin), children’s daycare and more.

The presentations were packed with tons of valuable content ranging from online marketing techniques to creating a financially viable business. The lectures educated professionals about how to thrive in their field and also how to create self-care practices for themselves.  One of the common themes among wellness professionals is that while their jobs consist of tending to others, many neglect their own personal care.

While this was a somewhat typical corporate conference, there was something different about this group of people and the intention of the event. There was an overall feeling of community and togetherness; at one point the entire group of 100+ people walked silently, connected hand to shoulder, around the streets of San Francisco. We are all connected with the common goal of spreading wellness to the people of the world. It was truly amazing to bring all of these people together!

I was inspired by each person that I met. Specifically one of the founders of MB One, Lindsay, really lit a fire in me. She gave a lecture telling her story of how she founded various companies and taught the group that we are all capable of being entrepreneurs. “Oh my gosh”, I thought, “this is me.” I am a visionary. I have SO MANY ideas crammed into my head and they are constantly flowing onto my computer but that is where many get lost. I’ve decided that when people ask me what I do or want to do, I can finally, confidently tell them that I am an entrepreneur (in training).

Lindsay’s lecture was specifically about the importance of brand strategy and it was brilliant. Up until now I had been trying to condense all of my ideas to fit one business model but that didn’t make sense. I have a wellness business and a music business and they are two completely different modalities with different goals and I need to market them that way. My pen was vigorously jotting down all the brilliant tips I could begin implementing to move my businesses forward.

As I exited the Kabuki hotel after the event ended I had a huge smile on my face. I felt inspired, motivated, and was filled with the notion “I can do this!” We can accomplish whatever we set our minds to. My grandfather lived the American dream. People do it everyday. I have been reading a lot about entrepreneurship lately and I know it will not be easy, but I am finally ready to take the risk and make my visions a reality. I encourage you to follow your dreams, to follow our community as well as my journey; I hope together we can inspire each other and bring balance and inspiration to the world.

[gypsyuniverse]

Ready to wake up?

Everyone is so concerned with how unaffordable health care is in our country. People are scared to go to the emergency room for fear that they are going to be indebted with a monstrous bill for the next ten years, and it’s a valid concern. Everyone is always trying to fundraise for cancer and Alzheimer's research. I refuse to donate to any cause that is searching for a cure, here’s why.

Disease is preventable. I recently completed a one year online health coaching program and watched hundreds of lectures on the topic. I was also blown away by the film “Forks Over Knives” which scientifically proves that increased animal protein in our diet’s is directly correlated to rising heart disease rates. I recommend you watch this it is so powerful ! The main point is that we are conditioned to believe that adjusting our lifestyles and reducing our intake of animal protein is more extreme than having our chests sliced open and our beautiful hearts chopped up.

I am specifically writing about this topic today because of a fascinating and aggressive Instagram dialogue that I participated in last night. Let me first start off by saying that I have not watched any of the Presidential candidates speak and all I know about them is based off of the internet and word of mouth.

At 9pm last night @berniesanders​ posted, “The United States pays the highest price in the world for prescription drugs, and 1 out of 5 patients cannot afford to fill their prescriptions. We must move to a Medicare for all program and end this disgrace. To big pharma, we must say loud and clear: your days of raising drug prices off the charts are over. #berniesanders”. 

I can’t even find my post amongst the hundreds since but it went something like, “MAYBE WE SHOULD STOP EATING POISON SO WE DON’T NEED MEDICATION”. This wasn't a grand thought out response it was just my initial reaction so that is what I wrote. 

The first response was actually a positive one, a girl followed my page and tagged me in a comment saying yes I couldn't agree more! I had another person say, “Yes, right on! This country needs a big wake up call when it comes to, well, a lot of things, but one of them being the chemicals and poison we are feeding ourselves”.

But a few of the responses were not as cordial. I was called ignorant, pretentious, selfish, idealist. “@gypsyuniverse so what you’re saying is: because I don’t need affordable medication, NO ONE DOES!” This broke my heart!! My life’s purpose is to use creative expression to awaken human beings from our hypnotized state. It has nothing to do with medication being affordable or not, I DON’T WANT ANY PERSON TO HAVE TO RELY ON MEDICATION AT ALL! 

(I forget that most people still take tylenol daily and are on at least one regular prescription. The thought that they could live another way is not even a blip in their mind. Since transitioning to Veganism five years ago I’ve started using the natural medicine provided by our planet to adjust any off balances in my body.)

This back and forth went on for awhile! I took time responding to each person, trying to show them I am not against Bernie or his plan but that no one is seeing the bigger picture! Big Pharma STILL WINS as long as we are relying on medication all our lives. My dream is for all people to live longer off medication, not to die longer on them.

There was also, “Or we could focus on real legislation and not idealologies.” This struck a chord. I sometimes forget that I have a different mindset then most other humans. Is this really an ideology? To believe that we can actually prevent disease and stop creating it? Yes we have a lot of work to do through education and mindfulness but does that mean it is unimportant or unrealistic?

Martin Luther King, JR, and Nelson Mandela, as well as countless other heroes, come to mind. These individuals had visions that people thought was nonsense, dangerous, impossible, idealist. All of the people who shook our culture and started revolutions had ideologies. Without an ideal vision, how can we possibly create a more evolved, improved world? 

This comment sparked a fire inside of me. I am an idealist, I do dream of a better world where people can diagnose themselves because they are so in tune with their bodies. Where it is first nature to grab the apple cider vinegar instead of the tums for indigestion. When they feel a headache they chug a glass of water instead of reaching for tylenol.  A world where earth’s gifts of cannabis (marijuana) and psilocybin (mushrooms) are not ILLEGAL but are used as the true medicine they are to treat anxiety, depression, cancer, post traumatic stress, eating disorders, pain relief, epilepsy, etc.. instead of chemicals...

(I just found a bottle of Tums in my kitchen belonging to my roommate, the ingredients are as follows: calcium carbonate, adipic acid, corn starch, dextrose, FD&C blue #1 lake, FD&C red #40 lake, FD&C yellow #5 (tartrazine lake, FD&C yellow #6 lake, flavor, guar gum, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, sorbitol, sucrose. Side effects: rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; confusion; increased urination; loss of appetite; mental or mood changes; nausea; severe or persistent constipation or stomach pain; weakness; vomiting.)

I could go on about this forever. However for now I leave you with that. Do you see the big picture? Are you ready to open your eyes and take back control of YOUR health and YOUR body?

If you are ready to make changes in your lifestyle, please feel free to email me. Emailing is free and I would love to hear from you, wellness@theinspireduniverse.com. 

Xoxo,

Alexa

PS. Following this post I plan to write about the simple holistic remedies you can use to replace the chemical fixes, stay tuned!

[gypsyuniverse]

Squeaquality

There is a mouse in my house. It doesn't bother me, I actually like the little guy! We only see it every couple of days, it is so tiny and cute! However, the roommates have their own opinions on how we should solve this problem. One is absolutely terrified, one already set up mouse traps, one is ambivalent, one agrees the mouse needs to go but would prefer a more humane option, and I say we gotta save him!!! I did some research on the subject.. 

Apparently there are health issues associated with a mouse in the house. Mice carry disease?? In a society where we eat sick animals on the reg, this doesn't really seem like a big threat to our house. BUT I understand it is probably best to not have a mouse living in our house at risk for bringing more mice.

The most common used trap is the traditional snap trap which snaps the poor fella’s neck. I work from home, and if I hear that trap snap I don’t know if I could handle it. Many times the mice don’t get killed and they have broken spines or limbs etc.. I just imagine the mouse after it’s spine is snapped but it’s still alive. We would probably just hear it squeaking, but imagine if it cried in a language that we understood? Imagine if you could hear a tiny little voice screaming “help me, please, save me...” Would that change things?

There are humane traps, and there is also a sonar device that apparently deters mice from the home! All possible options, yet there are snap traps in my kitchen.. However I am on Team Mouse and he survived another day!

This brings up deeper emotions for me though. Like why, why, WHY human beings hold some animals on a pedestal and treat others like slaves. I love cats, so much, and they do get superb treatment, but not the same way dogs do. We walk dogs regularly, treat them like royalty, bring them everywhere, let them sleep in our beds, and pick up their POOP, EVERY TIME THEY POOP!? (At least in the city). These animals are kings! 

I wish I could say that I don’t have anything against dogs but I can’t help it. I know the superiority complex is not their fault. We literally torture and give zero f*cks about every other animal in existence, including dogs too. Their are mills, dog racing and fighting which is horrible but those are the only types of animal cruelty people in america care about.  Most of the dogs in the US live the good life.

I returned from Central America about a month ago and there are stray dogs EVERYWHERE there. I kept buying food for these dogs because they were following me around! They are emaciated, bruised, scarred from people throwing rocks at them.. I am not heartless, I love all animals, equally.  It is devastating to see any animal treated cruelly but it is the norm, just like stray humans are the norm so how could we expect anything less...

I was walking to yoga the other night and saw the usual homeless man sleeping on the bare sidewalk.  I wanted to do something, but like everyone else I avoided eye contact and passed by. Little does that man know my heart was breaking inside for him. My heart was also breaking for our society, in which this behavior is totally normal and sadly expected. I was angry also that i could not do more, so I wrote a song about it. Expression emotions through art, music, writing (hi) is a very therapeutic way to relieve the negative emotions and also a great way to raise awareness.

What is my point??? My point is that there is no difference between me, that mouse, or that man sleeping on the street. We were all born into this world, took our first breathe of air, and opened our eyes to the same beautiful blue sky. Why do humans feel entitled? Why do we get to control the fate of other beings? Is it crazy that I dream of a world where all creatures are equal? I hope you can pause to take a breathe, to look around and see that we are all one, all connected, all pieces of a larger whole. I hope the next time you see a mouse you spare its life <3.

xoxo

Alexa

[gypsyuniverse]

You Can Do It

Yesterday was amazing ! A girlfriend asked me to go to a yoga class at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. If you live here and have never been or you plan to visit this can't be missed! It is a community yoga class each Tuesday evening at the most beautiful church in Nob Hill. There were probably at least 200 people in attendance and the class was accompanied by live music! (Note to self, I want to sing in a church for hundreds of people some day!)

After the class there was speaker, Timber Hawkeye, giving a talk on his new book, Faithfully Religionless. He was born in Israel, moved to San Francisco in his teens, became a Buddhist monk and is now an author and public speaker. He talked about mindfulness being the single most important key to happiness. Asking yourself, "why am I angry right now? why am I sleeping with this person? why am I eating this?" Instead of being victim to our habits or negative situations we can be aware and choose how to react, if to react at all. I suggest everyone check him out !

He was so inspiring I had a smile on my face the whole time and I am still buzzing. He started his first book by compiling all of his letters that he wrote home to his family when he was traveling. He self published it and was on his first book tour for two and a half years! Whatever dream it is you have, YOU CAN DO IT. I saw this quote yesterday and it stuck out to me.. "First they will ask you why, then they will ask you how".

xoxo, Alexa

[gypsyuniverse]

What Do I Want?

It's Saturday at 12:45 am pacific standard time. This week was tough. I returned last week from my 23 days in Central America and am trying to wrap my head around being back to reality. I am turning 27 in five weeks. What do I want? I learned so much on this trip, just like I do each year I go abroad which is why I do it. It expands my mind in ways that nothing else can. This year was different than my previous big trips. I took a risk taking a month off during a fragile time at work because I needed to get away. Get away from what? When I take a step back and look at where I am I couldn't have dreamed this life up. However I always want more! I had the perfect life in the Hamptons. I had a dream job, great co-workers, a boyfriend who fit me, the coziest apartment with my own rooftop, family close by, friends who supported me and I was so comfortable in my environment. Not to mention I lived five minutes away from some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. But something inside of me was screaming. I felt my gut trying to jump out of my body and fly to the west coast. So I woke up one morning and decided to finally listen. So here I am, 15 months later. Lounging on my super steal of a couch I found on craigslist, marathoning Girls and enjoying some time alone in my million dollar San Francisco rental. I'm reflecting on 2015 and manifesting for the year ahead. I always feel like I'm not doing enough, so I decided to make a list of all of my accomplishments and obstacles I overcame in the previous year. Firstly I have to acknowledge that I was mourning my best friend's death for the entire year. My college roommate Brittany died three weeks after I moved to California on November 14, 2014. I wrote this back in May, "Denial. My body refuses to accept Brittany's death. Sometimes I think I just shut off or black out days at a time so I don't have to face it. I feel like everyone expects me to be over it. It rocked my entire existence at a time when my existence was dangling off a ledge. My emotions are a roller coaster. Thre stress of everything takes over me even though I try so hard to manage it. Balance is key, and slowing down. I will slow down." It's amazing how far I have come, and that somehow although it seems impossible our lives move on and we learn to live with loss. Last month in Guatemala I finally wrapped my head around her death and accepted it. I am no longer a victim. This didn't happen to me. This is life. Her spirit is everywhere and we are closer to eachother now than we've ever been and I've learned how to connect with her. I feel her in every rose I see. Although I was greiving the world continued to spin. I traveled to three new countries in 2015; Aruba, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Traveled to New York four times, Florida twice, San Diego, Cancun, Lake Tahoe, and got a new state in, Texas (Austin). I went to five amazing festivals! My sister got engaged, my sister in-law is expecting my second niece/nephew!! My parents separated. The company I work for went public. I joined a band and started my own!! I sang at two weddings!! I wrote and sang on my first electronic track. I performed multiple times on stage. Oh and I also completed a one year nutrition program and am now a Certified Health Coach. Through all of my mourning I somehow grew exponentially. 2015 was the most transitional year of my life. So here is the question. I've come this far.. but now what?? Throughout my trip in Central America guitars were finding their way into my fingertips. My voice needed to sing, and it did. On my first night in Nicaragua I got to jam on the beach under a meteor shower with one of my favorite bands! (THE LOCAL NATIVES - they are freaking incredible if you don't already know them). I spent time writing new music and had this massive realization. The past few years I've been focusing on wellness because it is so important to me and to the planet. It is a true passion that I have developed. It is a healthy addiction that has started to cultivate since I became vegan almost five years ago. However singing has been my secret fantasy since I was a small child. There is something engrained in my soul that is telling me I need to follow this. I need to perform and share my gift. Music is healing, it is another form of wellness. We did tons of chanting and sound meditations in Guatemala and it hit me how powerful music can be. I can be a healer and be a musician without making any sacrifices. It may seem like a pipe dream but I have no other choice. I can keep asking myself, "what do I want" and try to find logical answers but the bottom line is deep down I know the truth. I need to believe that I can do this. I need to express myself, share my story, and sing my beating heart out just because. So this moment I am releasing all doubt. I am holding myself accountable. I am going to prove that anything is possible with intention. I will be singing at festivals, at weddings, in the middle of the ocean on a yacht in the Medditeranean Sea and anywhere else I want to. I don't know how but I know that I will meet the people I need to meet at the right places at the perfect time and it will somehow all fall into place. I hope you feel inspired. To follow your gut and trust that human intuition is more powerful than any advice or conditioning we've been given. Thank you for reading, would love to hear your thoughts as well.  Xoxo,Alexa

[gypsyuniverse]

ive always felt this crazy connection to the sun (and the moon and universe). every single night if i miss the the sunset i feel so bummed ! anyone else? i did some digging into my astrology chart and found the most spot on reading. 🔮it is sooo interesting !! we are all part of something so so so much bigger than we realize. 🌚✨🌞💫 i think its so absurd that people "don't believe in energy". they don't accept acupuncture, reiki and other alternative medicines to help our bodies heal but expect artificial chemicals to fix us. why is it so hard to see what we are? that we are made up of trillions of cells that function on instinct, cells that are designed for the sole purpose to keep us alive. we can chat via video with other humans thousands of miles away but we think energy/physics is bullshit? forget what you think you know and o p e n your m i n d s. 🤗💭 #pondering #life #healing #astrology #pisces #sun #universe #energy #hamptons #summer #montauk #physics #einstein #time #believe #nofilter #sunset (at Crow's Nest)

[gypsyuniverse]

https://soundcloud.com/alexa-jesse/roots-original

[gypsyuniverse]

Slowing Down

I just finished a ten day cleanse. I have done juice fasts in the past but this was different. This cleanse was from a company called Purium (http://www.puriumcorp.com), and it consisted of green shakes alternating with very small portions of fruits or veggies alongside herbal supplements. I liked this because it was attainable for me, I would highly recommend it for people who want to explore a cleanse but want a bit more sustenance than juice. The longest I had previously lasted on a cleanse before this was 5 days, so i doubled that! My personal goal was not weight loss, and to be honest I don’t weight myself so I don’t even know those results. My purpose of the cleanse was because I needed to slow down. I finished a month of traveling between five different cities and I was exhausted. When I returned home life was just as busy. I LOVE living in San Francisco but city life is nuts! Especially here. There is always something to do! Concerts, a festivals, workshops, sporting events, birthday partys, art openings, lectures, meet-ups, jam sessions, and the list goes on! Being new to the city I normally attempt to attend everything possible. I’ve met so many amazing people and had many unbelievable experiences, but I’ve missed out on valuable and much needed me time. I went from living by myself for three years in the isolated Hamptons, to living with 3 roommates in a busy city. The past year has been a crazy transition. I’m almost at my one year mark and this cleanse was a perfect way for me to reflect on the past year and set intentions for my future. I realized many things during the past 10 days that I wasn't expecting. The first being that I crave food when I’m bored and when I’m lonely. At one point about mid-way through the 10 days i was lonely and sad and I wanted a yummy warm bowl of rice and veggies more than I can explain. I took a step back and realized it wasn't the food I actually wanted, it was something to fill up an emptiness inside of me. I’ve lost many people (and my lifelong cat) in the past year and there are holes in me that cant be filled. Instead of eating my feelings I had to address them. Another eye opener for me was how many events/opportunities I had to turn down in order to really rest for ten days. The shocking part was how much I DIDNT regret missing those opportunities. With time to myself I was able to focus and prioritize my goals. I spent all day last Sunday lounging in my hammock, creating a business plan, watching educational webinars and absorbing knowledge about things I am passionate about but don’t normally have time to focus on. I spent another day at the park by myself, meditating and writing and even had an emotional realization and breakdown. The only way to improve ourselves is to face ourselves. We need to stop ignoring the pain we are feeling and start to feel it, acknowledge it, give it light and attention and then let it go. I’ve had a habit of suppressing emotions my whole life, not realizing how I repeat bad behaviors and have created a routine that feels safe in order to protect myself. Leading to my next realization, I cannot be and am not responsible for the happiness of others. There are people in my life (most likely in all of our lives) who are sick, unhappy, unhealthy, and it is so hard to accept. But I cannot attempt to help people who don’t want to be helped. It is not my place and I need to let go. Let go of that responsibility, let go of the fear of what will happen if I release that control. Let go of caring about what other people think. It is amazing how free I feel now!!! I am my most important priority. it doesn't matter if everyone and their mother is doing this or that, that may be what is right for them. I need to do what is best for ME. I am excited that the cleanse is over. Today is back to day one.  I am ready to continue on this journey and keep cleansing. This was just the beginning. I am committed to create a new routine, to create new patterns that align with my ultimate goals. I encourage everyone to slow down. Take some time for yourself to really look within and ask yourself, “what do i want?”. It is amazing what happens what you pause and listen to the response.

[gypsyuniverse]

a transformation is not always physical. my physical body is almost identical to what is was one year ago. however my perception of myself and life has drastically changed. i love myself. i am not perfect but that's okay! i embrace my individuality. i used to daydream of singing on stage but it was never something i thought was possible. i used to dream of living in california. i used to dream of working remotely. my life has transformed into my wildest dreams. the most amazing part is that now that i am living the life ive always wanted i am loving my physical body as well. so again, a transformation is not always physical; but when you follow your dreams your life will transform from the inside out. stay focused, stay positive! ✨💖💫 #transformationtuesday #thoughts #dream #cali #gypsylife #yogi #transformation #life #nofilter #sky #clouds #nature (at San Francisco, California)

[gypsyuniverse]

⍺ʀ꒦b⍺ ! life is good. 🌴👌🏾 #nofilter #caribbean #aruba #sunsets #prezclub14 #sales #life (at Aruba the Happy Island)

[gypsyuniverse]

D.A.R.E for adults

Drug Abuse Resistance Education - It’s time we all had a modern day refresher on the real drug abuse epidemic going on. 

A copy of Health magazine was delivered to my house today. As a health professional I decided to skim through the magazine and see what insight it had to offer. What I found was a bit appalling. There was an advertisement for some sort of drug every 4-7 pages. 

The conditions addressed were as follows: hepatitis c, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, depression (two ads), bronchitis/emphysema, diabetes, insomnia, fibromyalgia, toe fungus, anti smoking, bipolar, constipation, low energy, alzheimers and asthma. 

Keep in mind this is a health magazine, so we can safely assume that people who read this have an interest in learning how to live a healthier lifestyle.

This makes me sick, sad, angry, and more motivated than ever. Motivated to share what I have learned about health, the human body, and it’s capacity to heal itself when given the right fuel. We not amidst a healthcare crisis - we are amidst a sick-care crisis. Sixteen ads for magic pills! We need to start listening to are bodies and STOP listening to these drug and processed food corporations. 

I am proud to say I have not taken any sort of drug in just about one year. Not even tylenol or advil. I used to carry a tylenol bottle around with me everywhere I went in case I got a headache or was sore from a workout. Now if I do feel a headache I know to chug a few glasses of water and it works every time! Or to take a nap. If my muscles are sore I will stretch or use a topical muscle gel consisting of eucalyptus, cayenne, menthol, and other natural ingredients (http://www.arbonne.com/PWS/homeoffice/store/AMUS/product/Herbal-Muscle-Massage-Pain-Relieving-Gel-US-2941,1556.aspx). I also am obsessed with the steam room and prior to the awful drought I was taking epsom salt baths. ANYWHO - drugs are useful in extreme circumstances but they should be the last resort, not the go to!!

Nutrition is important - but it is not the only thing either. For things like depression, arthritis, insomnia, constipation, low energy, and most other ailments, twenty minutes of daily activity can have many positive results! Also relationships and career can have a significant impact on stress levels which can manifest to all sorts of issues in the body. 

The bottom line is this - open your eyes and stop letting advertisements make choices for you. TRUST YOUR BODY. If you need help, that is okay! We have been brainwashed our whole entire lives so it’s no wonder we are confused with what to eat. Seek guidance from a professional! This sort of thing is exactly what Health Coaches like myself are trained to do. We strive to help clients analyze and prioritize their health concerns and implement small, gradual changes towards a healthier lifestyle. 

Stay positive, happy, grateful, and trust yourself over anyone else. You are the only one who knows what’s best for you :).

[gypsyuniverse]

i was blessed to watch both the sunrise and the sunset yesterday. i love that beautiful star✨! ⋆✷⋆✷ she says ૭৹ଠⅆദᎽ౿ at the end of each day ✷ into the ຖⅈ૭Ⴙ⍡ she makes her way ✷ the sky is dark her ᗷಂᑯℽ glows ✷ where she ૭૦౿ຣ nobody knows ✷ chase her you can try ✷ she'll be gone in the ᗽℓⅈຖk of an eye ✷ chase her you can try ✷ she's gone in the ᗽℓⅈຖk of an ℯℽᏬ ✷⋆☪✷⋆☪✷⋆☪✷⋆☪✷⋆☪✷⋆ #sunset #sunday #songwriting #inspired #jump #bakerbeach #ocean #sun #sky #beauty #earth #life #california #poetry (at Baker Beach)

[gypsyuniverse]

https://soundcloud.com/alexa-jesse/stuck-feat-michael-kahn-on-guitar

[gypsyuniverse]

GMnO

I’ve been studying nutrition for seven months now, but have been researching the truth about the food industry for over four years. I recently learned something that has stuck in my mind a bit. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) can have seriously harmful effects on our bodies and the environment.

A study was done on pigs at a factory farm. The pigs were being raised for meat and their feed was made of GMO corn and soy. The pigs suffered daily from diarrhea and other stomach conditions such as ulcers and inflamed intestines were also common. This was a problem that had been ongoing. A farmer decided to switch the feed to non GMO and almost instantaneously the pigs had NO diarrhea! I don’t have the study cited nor do I know the exact facts. I don’t know the truth about GMOs and what is scary is that it seems that all the research out there is mixed and uncertain.

I eat 99.99% organic so I didn’t think too much about GMOs before I heard about this study. However, I do eat a fair amount of soy, and soy and corn are the most highly genetically modified foods. When I buy tempeh and tofu I always buy organic, but what about when I go out to eat? In Thai and Japanese restaurants, what quality ingredients are they using? Personally I have decided to opt out of ordering soy when I eat out, at least most of the time.

For a school assignment I was told to blog about GMOs and why they are dangerous for us. I’ve done research and the research is so mixed, but this is what we know.

GMO crops are engineered to be herbicide tolerant, meaning the chemicals used to kill the weeds do not kill the crop. The crops still absorb the chemicals they are engineered to be immune to them (we are not). Monsanto is known for selling Roundup Ready crops, crops that are designed to survive multiple rounds of the Roundup herbicide.

Some problems with this - the obvious, that the toxic chemicals in these crops are now leached into our food. Start reading labels, if what you are eating is not labeled organic and contains soy or corn, it is most likely GMO.

Due to overuse of GM herbicide, weeds are growing resistant to the chemicals resulting in even more and more toxic applications in order to kill them. This is not only terrible for the environment, but year over year crops contain higher residues of these chemicals. I read in many places that Roundup, for example, is linked with sterility, hormone disruption, birth defects, and cancer.

Another issue with GMOs is the lack of government oversight. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require a single safety study, doesn’t require GMO food labeling, and allows new GMO products to be placed on the market freely with no approval needed. The FDA says there is no proof that GMOs are harmful. Michael Taylor was the government agency official who was in charge of the policy that instructed the FDA to promote biotechnology (the benefits of GMO). Michael Taylor was also Monsanto’s former attorney who is now the US Food Safety Czar.

Something else that freaks me out about GMO crops is that like all plants, their seeds spread and can cross contaminate indefinitely. Basically, these GMO crops are now showing up all over the country in areas that they were not intended. Farmers who are trying to grow healthy, organic, pure crops are struggling with contamination as well. Once we do start realizing how harmful these organisms are, it’s likely that there won’t be much we can do about it.

We can start by avoiding GM brands. If the public starts demanding mandatory food labeling of GMOs and refusing to support the products then the food companies will be forced to stop using them. There are so many yummy, whole, organic, non modified foods! Start by reading the ingredients on your items (or buy items that are whole and don’t have an ingredients list!). Educate yourself! Look up your nearest farmers markets, co ops, and other sustainable companies to support!