Friday, April 12, 2013

March Earth Market & Old San Juan farmers market 3rd Annver.


Puerto Rico… where shopping and health go hand in hand!


01/03/13
Coconuts, bananas, passion fruit, citrus fruit.. peppers, tomatoes, avocadoes, breadfruit, bread and coffee. In Old San Juan (Puerto Rico), the Mercado Agricola Natural is a feast of scents, colors and tastes. It only hosts producers from the island and is always on the move.

Every Saturday morning, it comes to life with 20 producers and the help of the Slow Food Boricua Convivium, which has always paid great attention to health and the relationship between food and natural lifestyles (some of the stalls are dedicated to home cooked food and sell vegetarian dishes made with the market organic ingredients). The whole month of March is devoted to these topics. Healthy food, food education for children and adults, the fight against GMOs, the importance of health and a correct diet are the motivation of the four events at the Old San Juan Earth Market.

The first is on Saturday March 2 (from 11 am to 1 pm) with Rebecca Méndez del Valle (better known as Chef Rebecca, a Puerto Rican cook who focuses on vegetarian food and currently manages Afrodita, a catering and personal chef business) and Elizama Montalvo (Cconvivium leader and medical and integrative family doctor for 30 years, with expert in plant base nutrition and homeopathy). Together, they will explain tourists and market regulars that feeding children with top quality, alternative products is possible.
Raw milk cheese and the consumption of raw food are the focus of the second meeting, on Saturday March 9. Producer Wanda Otero will explain her products, while Laura Cortes, vegetarian chef, will give some easy and fun tips on how to eat raw products and prepare them. Also, coffee producer Elena Biamon and Elizama Montalvo will explain how local food can help prevent cancer.
It all continues on Saturday March 16 when the issues discussed with Marisol Mc Manus and Vero Rodriguez will explore Puerto Rican  and Asian herbs and the correct approach to eating. Elizama Montalvo explains the health risks of GMO products. And Saturday March 23, Chiropractor Jose Rodriguez will explain diabetes and Dalma Cartagena, a local ecologist teacher and an expert on vegetable gardens for children.

March also sees the launch of the new campaign of the Slow Food Boricua Convivium: Slow Healing. Slow Food Boricua - which has always placed great emphasis on taste education - wants to keep on raising awareness among the island citizens on the importance of food for our lives, the environment and communities. Meetings, workshops and debates are an opportunity to explain that eating slowly and taking the right time to enjoy meals help our health and promote socialization, and that sharing convivial times is good for the spirit.

The Slow Food Boricua Convivium is certainly one of the most active in the Caribbean in terms of activities organized in Puerto Rico and internationally. In 2011, it funded the creation of the Degwariri community garden in Somalia for the Thousand Gardens in Africa project. In 2013 and 2014, thanks to the activities of Bartus Allen (massager and acupuncturist), it will raise funds to send Dalma Cartagena and a young student to the next edition of Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre.

If you want to know more:
Laura Daen
Member of the Slow Food Boricua Convivium
www.mercadoagricolanatural.com

Elizama Montalvo
Slow Food Boricua Convivium Leader
mshomeodoc@gmail.com

When and where?
Every Saturday
Internal courtyard of the Arts and History Museum
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Slow Healing



Slow Food Boricua ( SFB) has launched a new campaign, called Slow Healing. Since the beginning of SFB, we've showcased several health events to educate our community on healthy food choices. This new campaign was given the green light from Slow Food International. Hopefully in time, this campaign will reach an global level, similar to 1,000 gardens in Africa, GMO, Slow Fish, etc. During the month of March, several health talks will be presented at the Old San Juan farmers market; to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the market and the opening of the Earth Market. Below you can read the description of Slow Healing, also the approval message from Slow Food International. Thanks

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hello Elizama and Bartus,
as promised, i talked with Paolo di Croce about the Slow Healing campaign. We agreed about the fact that this is an important issue for Slow Food, but in the last years we haven't developed anything like that. I checked in example with "Slowfood", our italian magazine, and we haven't published any article on the issue in the past. I spoke also with Silvia Ceriani, the head of our Communication Office. We all agree that we should work on this thanks to your help, and i think we can have two levels:

1) the local/regional level: in which SF Boricua can develop autonomically this campaign (as you said organizing some activities at the market and/or compromising others countries as Cuba as well). Of course SF International will give visibility to these events/activities through our websites.

2) the international level: we think that we cannot open a campaign now (like GMO or LAND GRABBING) because we don't have so far too much "background" on this, like articles, materials, other Convivia or TM communities working on this issue. But, we can begin to give visibility to this issue i.e. publishing some of the articles that you'll write, giving visibility to your activities, trying to link you with existing and future groups that will have the same focus. I think that if we work on this issue together, we'll have material and a network to start a new campaign within the next 12-24 months. What do you think?

At the moment i shared the documents with Silvia, and she'll send them to Andrea Pezzana, the nutritionist and teacher at University of Gastronomic Sciences that normally collaborate with us in nutritional issues, to have his feedback.

So, we still have to find a path to walk, but i think that step by step we can work on Slow Healing.

I wait for your comments and thank you two for your work.

Best, Andrea

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrea Amato
Slow Food
Via della Mendicità Istruita, 14
12042, Bra (CN), Italy
Tel. +39 0172 419 723
Fax +39 0172 419 725
E-mail: a.amato@slowfood.it
Skype: andrea.amato.slow.food

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 What is Slow Healing?

 In the past five years, since the beginning of Slow Food Boricua; our
 mission had always been dedicated to educating Puerto Ricans on the
 importance of healthier body, mind, food, and lifestyle. Slow Healing is a Slow Food campaign developed to
 continue the mission of educating people on the health benefits of
 food and lifestyle.

 What is Slow Healing? This question is complex and we may not have a definitive
 answer. But for us, it's about living life and being aware of the motives and the impact of the choices that we make in our lives, our environment and our communities.


 This campaign is meant to help structure individuals goals, around
 self awareness, creative thinking, personal meaning and community fulfillment. Slow Food Internationale's purpose is base on these principals, but Slow Healing will highlight the value of healthy eating, lifestyle, and choices.

 During major festive holidays, we experience living at a slower pace.
 Many of us share a home–cooked meal with family and friends, and
 appreciate what we have. Obviously celebrating holidays everyday
 wouldn't be desirable or practical, but the more we can include the
 spirit of these special days in our lives, the richer the other days
 of the year would be. Some cultures and spiritual practice have elect
 to unplug from technology one day a week so that they have more time
 and attention for relaxing, reading, and playing away from screens and
 phones. Mediation, dance, music, gardening and slowing down; are tools
 to Slow Healing campaign.

 Personal motivations for slowing down vary, but often stem from a
 sense that all of the more in our lives has not made them better.
 Overwhelm, stress, and a sense of disconnection are common symptoms of
 trying to deal with too much in a fast–paced, commodity–filled, and
 highly technological culture. This campaign addresses the desire to
 lead a more balanced life and to pursue a more holistic sense of well
 being in the fullest sense of the word. In addition to the personal
 advantages, there are potential environmental benefits as well. When
 we slow down, we often use fewer resources and produce less waste,
 both of which have a lighter impact on the earth.

 Living more slowly begins with becoming more aware of what is
 positively and negatively impacting the quality of our lives. For
 example, eating slowly has major health benefits on the the human
 body. One obvious benefit to eating more slowly is that you will taste
 your food more. If you double the amount of time it takes you to eat a
 meal, you’ll experience more of the flavors, textures and smells of
 the food you eat. Your food will become more interesting. While you
 are slowing down, you might find that you learn to stop eating sooner.
 You might notice that you are full and don’t need that extra bite.

 Studies show that "fullness" is a complex concept that combines the
 number of times you chew, the time you spend eating, the look of the
 food on the plate, as well as the actual amount of food you eat. Slow
 down and you may feel full with less. When you eat slowly, you end up
 tasting your food more. This is good because the more you pay
 attention to your foods, the more you will prefer natural, healthy
 foods. Here’s why: Most factory produced foods are carefully designed
 by food engineers to taste great for the first 3 or so bites. After
 that the food begins to taste bland and uninteresting (if you don’t
 believe me, try eating a name-brand cookie for a minute). You feel an
 urge to eat another cookie or potato chip after just a few chews. If
 you slow down and be sure to chew thoroughly, these heavily processed
 foods will taste pretty disgusting (again, if you don’t believe me,
 try chewing a potato chip 25 times times – it gets real nasty).
 Natural foods, on the other hand, stay interesting as you chew them. A
 strawberry starts out with a burst of juice, but then stays
 interesting as you chew. Oranges, nuts and vegetables are the same.
 Eating can be a social event. Meals are a time when people gather and
 spend time together. Once the meal is over, everyone goes their
 separate ways.

 By taking more time at a meal, you’ll be able to talk with your
 friends and family more, improve relationships and feel more
 connected. It takes your stomach about 20 minutes to produce the
 hormones that tell your brain that you are full. This process doesn’t
 start until your stomach begins to stretch. If you slow down, you give
 yourself more time to feel full. This gives you a better chance of
 stopping before you "get stuffed." Eating slower gives your stomach
 more time to start working on the food. When you send an entire meal
 down your throat in 5 minutes, you may find yourself suffering from
 indigestion. Instead, take 20 minutes to eat the same amount of food.
 Your stomach will have a much easier job. Eating slower might also
 result in you chewing more, giving your stomach a head start in the
 digestive process.

 Creating more community cooking & dining actives is a beautiful form
 of expressing gratitude to oneself. Not only will you be preparing
 your dishes together, it will help boost the flavor of your food, but
 you’ll also be making your wallet happy because you can buy
 collectively. It’s hard to go wrong with slow cooking with friends!
 The low cooking temperatures make it difficult to burn, scorch, or
 overcook your meal. In fact, oftentimes the longer cooking times bring
 out the savory flavors and really help to marry your ingredients
 together, plus you will have interesting stories to share with your
 community members..

 Healing is the process of moving mind, body, emotion, and behavior in
 the direction of becoming more whole and finding a healthy balance. As
 a system becomes more whole, its component parts function better, and
 they function in a more coordinated, effective way in relationship to
 each other. Slow Healing refers to the process of creating this
 balance on all levels of the internal system and, in addition, finding
 balance in relationship to the outside.

Dalma 's fundraising project

Hola Slow Food Boricua members,


   Many joyous and warm greetings for you in 2013. This message is being sent to you for the following purpose....creative insight. Dalma Cartagena is a school teacher in Orocovis. She has dedicated her adult career, to educating and sharing the knowledge of organic agriculture to Puerto Ricans. For many years, Dalma has taught young students the art of organic farming; at the Su Botijas school in Orocovis. Her work is truly inspirational, because she not only teach young students at the school, they have developed a small farm and cooking facility. We would like to send Dalma and one of her young student ( age 15-18) to Italy and attend the Terra Madre event in 2014 ( http://www.terramadre.info/ ). Hopefully to have Dalma present her accomplishment to the international organic community and expose a young mind, to a global farmers market. In the past, we have conducted several fundraisers to send Antonio Rullan to Terra Madre last year. We were able to raise $1,400.00 for Antonio's trip, but this time we will have to double our goal. We seek ideas and insight, on how to raise $3,000.00 before Sept.2014. Any ideas or assistance you care to share is always welcome. Thank you for your support.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARP5C-nYOeQ


Thanks to everyone who came out today and support the Old San Juan farmers market and Dalma's trip to Terra Madre. Together we were able to raise $525.00!! A special thanks must go to Laura Daen and all the market volunteers ( Suzanne, Aviva, Nilda and Marcelino), Nilsa  Eberhart ( great hands), Karla, Javier, Aurora, Vanessa and Elena ( wonderful cakes and promotion), and Bess Taylor and Rita Maldonao ( perfect greens). Today Dalma gave a excellent presentation and the audience really appreciate your knowledge. If you want to contact Dalma and visit the school garden project, contact me and I'll forward your message. In the meantime, watch some of Dalma's students in the videos above this message. Our next fundraiser for Dalma's trip will be this Fall. Have a peaceful Holy week and thanks again for your gift. Remain well

A gift for Somalia from PR

Greetings Sid Ali & Mudane,

   I hope you are feeling well. Recently, Marta Messa of Slow Food International, said you both were able to attend the Terra Madre 2012 event in Italy. I'm sure you were praised for your wonderful work in Somalia. One of the delegates from Puerto Rico, Elena Biamon ( finca.gripinas@gmail.com); also attended Terra Madre 2012. She was emotionally moved by the whole event, especially the 1,000 gardens in Africa presentation by Carlo Petrini. When Elena returned to Puerto Rico, she was inspired to assist the farmers in Africa. On Dec. 8, 2012; Elena gathered several chefs & farmers from around the island of Puerto Rico and decided to give a fundraiser called, " Local Banana Festival". They were able to raise $ 115.00 to help the Ayuub Orphans. This gift is presented to the Degwariri Community garden of Somalia, by your friends at the Old San Juan  farmer's market, Slow Food Boricua and the Local Banana Festival crew. Your sisters and brothers here in the Caribbean, wish our sisters and brothers in Africa; a peaceful and productive 2013. Thank you.


Elizama Montalvo

Elena's party


Dear friends of Convivium Boricua:

Participating  in Slow Food Congress and Terra Madre was something beyond words.  It is obvious that time and events are squeezing all of us from around the globe.  We now have no choice of coming together as unified citizens of the world and demand our rights for food that is good, clean (safe) and fair.  Unifying efforts in Puerto Rico is a must, hope that taking  a slow day to Finca Gripiñas, Jayuya; pick some coffee and share all the experiences of Slow Food Terra Madre will bring a new fellowship and spark to our battles for the right food, health and life.

For our surprise beyond Maria, Fernando, Antonio and Elena; Marta Calero and Jaime Boffill (Naturismo Tropical) and Bryan Brunner (Estacion Exp. Lajas-organicUPR) were part of Terra Madre, Torino,  Italy.

See you all soon and don't forget to confirm your participation in our coming get together.

Elena



El Convivium Boricua y Finca Gripiñas les invitan a la actividad "Recogida de Café e intercambio de experiencias Terra Madre, Italia"

Fecha: Domingo 11 de noviembre, 2012

Lugar: Finca Gripiñas (la casa de Café Tureygua), carr 527, km 2.5 , Bo. Veguitas, Sector Gripiñas, Jayuya

Hora: 10:00 am


Como siempre, favor traer un plato para compartir y hacer todo lo posible de prepararlo con ingredientes locales.

FAVOR NOTIFICAR ASISTENCIA- LA FINCA NO CUENTA CON ESPACIOS PARA LOS CARROS Y SE ESTARÁ TRANSPORTANDO A LAS PERSONAS DESDE AREA ANTES DE LA SUBIDA
AL PARADOR GRIPIÑAS (VER RÓTULO) DESDE LAS 9:30 AM HASTA LAS 11:30 AM SOLAMENTE.

FAVOR NOTIFICAR ASISTENCIA A:
(787)397-3243(787)504-8648 , 787-672-0041 ELIZAMA, BARTUS._787-672-0095


MAS ADELANTE SE ENVIARA INFORMACION DE COMO LLEGAR A JAYUYA (mapa e instrucciones)

NOTA: Si quieres recoger café debes llegar temprano y con ropa de trabajo (camisa de manga larga y botas altamente recomendado)  Sólo recogeremos café en la mañana.


Let me know if you have any questions,

Thanks for everything

Elena and Miguel

Mission Statement


  
    Debajo de este mensaje, se puede leer la declaración de la misión de SFB. Nuestro compromiso con estas palabras, son fundamentales para el éxito de una sociedad más sana, aprendiendo a entender el poder de la dinámica de grupo y la mayoría de todo ... abrazar la comunidad agrícola internacional. Agradecemos su participación en el movimiento Slow Food. En 2008, comenzamos SFB con un simple propósito en mente. SFB comenzó como experimento social, diseñado para empoderar a las esperanzas de los individuos dispuestos a hacer cambios positivos en la agricultura y espero que esto se refleje hacia el exterior en nuestra comunidad. En lugar de tener un líder del grupo de SFB, se decidió que cada miembro del SFB es el líder de SFB. Esto significa que cada miembro tiene una valiosa aportación en el avance de SFB. Si usted tiene alguna idea, que te importa compartir con SFB, se convierte en el productor (o líder) de ese proyecto, y vamos a apoyar sus acciones. En 2012, varios miembros SFB fueron capaces de mostrar sus ideas. Dalma Cartagena, quería construir un pozo de fuego para el programa de la escuela de jardín de niños. A través de su liderazgo, sus niños de la escuela, tienen ahora una manera de preparar las comidas orgánicas en la escuela. Elizama Montalvo, ha creado un evento para recaudar fondos para enviar a una persona joven a Italia y participar en el evento Terra Madre 2012. Elena Biamon, quería ayudar a los jardines de 1.000 en África proyecto, por lo que desarrolló el Festival Plátano local, para ayudar a los necesitados a través de los océanos. Bartus Allen fue capaz de conectar mercado del Viejo San Juan agricultor orgánico con un programa llamado Slow Food Internacional, Mercado de la Tierra. Muchos miembros de SFB otros en el pasado, también contribuyen con sus ideas y habilidades de liderazgo. Alentamos a su voz, porque una pequeña idea puede manifestarse en resultados de gran alcance. En 2013, ya tenemos varios proyectos en el horizonte. Vamos a mantenerlo conectado, por lo que la comunicación es importante en nuestra relación. Nuestro deseo es destacar y apoyar sus ideas y transformar los sueños en realidad. Gracias de nuevo y disfrutar de las vacaciones.

Elizama Montalvo

Misión Boricua Convivium es educar y promover el movimiento verde orgánico en la isla, unificar nuestros intereses diversos en energía sostenible y la agricultura, crear cooperación entre semejantes agricultores Eco-organizaciones, explorar las maravillas delicioso de los alimentos orgánicos y recetas creativas, comerciales y comunicarse con países de América Latina. Objetivo principal Slow Food Boricua es mostrar los proyectos orgánicos de Puerto Rico agricultura a la comunidad internacional de la agricultura orgánica.

2 minutes of Passion


  Hoy hemos lanzado un nuevo canal en You Tube, llamado "Pasión Borincana". Pasion Boricana está dedicado a resaltar el logro positivo y progresivo en Puerto Rico. Vamos a mostrar vídeos en el área de la educación, la agricultura, la energía sostenible, la salud, las artes, la ciencia, los proyectos creativos de reciclaje, la aptitud, la conciencia social y el estilo de vida apasionada de la cultura puertorriqueña. Dado que este proyecto es nuevo, le invitamos a la gente a compartir sus vídeos. Incluido en la Pasion Borincana canal, se inició un segmento, llamado, "Dos Minutos de Pasión". Este segmento, está diseñado para dar voz a los ciudadanos de PR, que están generando un esfuerzo conciente y armoniosa en la toma de pasos hacia adelante en comunidades de todo Puerto Rico. Si tiene videos para compartir, por favor envíe a: pasionborincana@gmail.com
Gracias y más amor en el 2013

He aquí algunas muestras de Dos Minutos de Pasión

Aug.7 ,2010 School Garden Fundraising


El 20-25 de octubre de 2010; cuatro ciudadanos de Puerto Rico (Ivan Quintero, María Caro, Danny Pesante y Elizama Montalvo) iran a viajar a Italia y representar a nuestra hermosa isla en el evento de Slow Food-Terra Madre 2010. Slow Food Terra Madre es un evento internacional que se celebra el movimiento de alimentos orgánicos. Dado que nuestra escuela Loaiza Cordero en Santurce es la primera escuela de Puerto Rico, para ser seleccionada por Terra Madre y exponer elproyecto jardín en este espectacular evento global; esperamos que muchos de ustedes pueden venir a apoyar nuestra causa el 7 de agosto de 2010. Si eres incapaz de apoyar financieramente a la recaudación de fondos, por favor traiga a sus hijos, nietos o jóvenes miembros de la familia al mercado organico del Viejo de San Juan (En el antiguo Mercado en la Calle Norzagaray numero 150). Nos encantará educar a nuestras generaciones futuras, sobre la importancia del crecimiento y la preparación de alimentos orgánicos. Gracias


Elizama Montalvo, MD
Presidente de Slow Food Boricua


Queridos Amigos!

Durante este pasado semestre nuestra escuela, Loaíza Cordero, comenzó un huerto orgánico con estudiantes
de nuestro grupo ambiental "Raíces y Retoños".
Fue una iniciativa que fue posible gracias a la colaboración generosa de algunos agricultores amigos. La misma generó grandes satisfacciones entre los estudiantes y el personal de la escuela.


A nuestra iniciativa se ha unido Slow Food Boricua y con su apoyo, el próximo año escolar nuestra escuela comenzará
un proyecto de ¡siembra en grande! ¡Estamos bien entusiasmados porque ahora participaran estudiantes de toda la escuela y trabajaremos todas las fases de la agricultura orgánica: compostar ( Gracias: Anita Mattos), germinar semillas, sembrar, cuidar la siembra y cosechar! Este nuevo proyecto será presentado en el próximo evento de Slow Food Internacional: Terra Madre. Evento que tendrá lugar en Turin, Italia el próximo mes de octubre y que reune participantes de todo el mundo( www.slowfood.com ).


Bartus Allen, Masajista y Acupunturista profesional, miembro activo y comprometido de Slow Food Boricua, y de nuestro proyecto

ha organizado una actividad de recaudación de fondos para apoyarnos en nuestras actividades.
Estará ofreciendo sus servicios de masaje de silla para las personas interesadas y todo lo que se recoja lo donará a nuestro proyecto de composta y siembra.

¡Los invitamos a que se unan y nos ayuden a alcanzar nuestra meta!

Actividad: Masaje en silla

Lugar: Mercado Orgánico del Viejo San Juan

Fecha: sábado, 7 de agosto de 2010

Hora: 8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Precio: $1.00 por minuto

¡Gracias! ¡Contamos con su apoyo! ¡Los esperamos!

Earth Market teams with the Old San Juan farmers market

http://www.earthmarkets.net/network/san-juan


The Old San Juan farmers market is now part of the Earth Market!!

Hello Bartus.

I'm finally here to announce you that, after a long wait, THE OLD SAN JUAN FARMERS' MARKET - MERCADO AGRICOLA NATURAL IS OFFICIALLY PART OF THE EARTH MARKETS NETWORK. We all are very happy to welcome you in a network including 27 more markets in 8 countries all over the world.

Here attached you find what we call a totem and the Earth Markets logo. 
You are free to use the totem, for a poster or flag to be put up in the market after a proper adaptation with your name on it; in this case I will send you a file with better definition.
It is necessary instead that the logo is visible at the market, as well as Slow Food Boricua's one. You can grant this visibility the way you will feel appropriate.

Very soon the entrance of San Juan in the network will be published in the Earth Markets website, and you will have your own page.

This is definitely deserved for your hard work and commitment, so my congratulation goes to you, Laura, Paola, Elizama and all the wonderful farmers involved in the market.

All the best.

gigi

-- 
Gigi Frassanito
Fondazione Slow Food per la Biodiversità – Mercati della Terra
Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity - Earth Markets
+39 3290224724
www.mercatidellaterra.it
www.earthmarkets.net
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