Environment, Health
Self-Love & Healthy Choices
Jul
Self-love consists of small acts which build up to the biggest blessings. As we scurry around in a fast-paced environment, we often do not find time to ask questions, research, or learn about the dangers in our everyday products and lives. Native people who work with plants will tell you that it’s unhealthy and unwise to collect edible foods off the side of the road. California is the biggest grower of produce in the United States. Most of their groves and farms are along the highways and freeways. Some farmers also allow pumpjacks and oil wells in the same areas where the produce is grown.
Food dyes made of petroleum, including yellow 5 and 6, blue 1 and 2, and red 3 and 40, are recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as carcinogens. These are all linked to diseases of the body such as cancer. Deodorants, sunblock, and other hair and body care products carry ingredients such as Phthalates, often listed as fragrance, plasticized chemicals, Propylene glycol ( another petroleum-based substance), and Aluminum. These ingredients are all linked to health issues such as cancer, reproductive complications, and organ damage. Aluminum may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
Initiating community volunteer projects such as gardening and greenhouses in open lots is a healthier and more educational alternative for food sources. Switching out toxic chemicals for mineral salts and essential oils will help reduce your chances of disease. Making self-care products is a fun and efficient way to better the earth and yourself and know what you are putting on your body. If you don’t have that time, supporting small businesses promoting health and wellness is always welcomed and appreciated. Removing toxins from your lifestyle is a big way to show that you love yourself and want to see yourself become or remain healthy and healed. After all, you do deserve to be loved!
Singer, Song Writer, Emcee (rapper), Poet, and Published Author Jessa Calderon is of the Chumash and Tongva Nations of Southern California. Jessa also identifies with her Yoeme and Mexican roots. Jessa is a natural born singer who truly found her voice in hip-hop. As an emcee, poet and published author, Jessa is able to share her culture and truth in a way that keeps the crowds intrigued. Not only does Jessa bring pictures to life through the minds’ eye with her writing, she also brings her listeners enlightenment and healing. Since 2019 Jessa has joined the Dream Warriors collective with Tanaya Winder, Frank Waln, Lyla June, Tall Paul, Mic Jordan and Gunner Jules. Together they share, music, culture, stories, poems, seminars, workshops, webinars which equates to healing as a community.