Institute Loaiza Cordero School & Slow Food Boricua

The Institute Loaiza Cordero School and Slow Food Boricua have formed a partnership to achieve a valuable children’s organic garden. Here are some major accomplishments they have achieved and projections for the new year.

2009-10 Accomplishments:

1. We participated in the visit of Dr. Jane Goodall to Puerto Rico and presented our group and our projects:
• Organic Gardening
• Share the harvest with people in need
• Trash removal and recycling
• Awareness of needs and appropriate care of animals
2. We conducted a school organic garden with the help and under the guidance of three farmers. Students participated in all phases:
• Land preparation
• Sowing
• Garden Maintenance
• Harvest
3. Foods that were harvested were donated to nonprofit organizations that serve people with social needs such as Julia de Burgos Protected House & Home Father Bernard, home to assist the homeless.
4. In turn, the students received lectures related to domestic violence and the needs of the homeless.
5. Crops were also shared with the school canteen and were used for preparing food for children and young people from school.
6. The students showed great sense of responsibility, enjoyment and commitment to the care of the garden and the share of the harvest.
7. They knew the names of the plants sown as seed and grow them, and the care they need.
8. We visited a farm where they learned about different animals, their characteristics, needs and care required.
9. We received the visit of a bee-keeper and the children learned about the life of bees, their work and contribution to our lives.

Projections for the year 2010-2011

For next year we plan to:

1. expand the organic garden
2. prepare compost for the garden with organic material from the school (dry leaves, grass, shells, raw food in the dining room).
3. use the nursery to germinate seeds and planting on benches.

To achieve these projects we need the cooperation of the whole school. We propose the following:

• Pre-school through third grade will continue in charge of the garden.
• Fourth through Sixth, will be responsible of the composting process
• Middle school will work in the nursery.
• Students with special needs will participate actively integrated with regular groups according to their ages.

During the school year groups will rotate station for a fixed period of time so everyone has the experience of learning the tasks of each stage of planting.

This would be done in stages on selected dates through planned activities.

Tentative dates:

Late August

• start composting
• prepare the ground for planting

Early September

• planting organic garden

Mid-September

• beginning the use of the nursery

The International Slow Food Convivium of Puerto Rico "Slow Food Boricua” has joined our initiative.

They will help us get resources to assist us in farming activities and participate directly in the planting and fundraising activities.

By joining Slow Food Boricua our school garden has become part of the international network of school gardens across Slow Food International organization. This gives us the opportunity to interact with other schools throughout the world, share experiences and receive support. Likewise, our school will receive promotion of our projects at national and international levels.

With this initiative our school had become part of the schools throughout the world that are educating for global consciousness, caring for the earth, healthy eating, peace and multiculturalism. In other words, we are part of the schools that are tempering their education and educating students for the twenty-first century needs. October 20-25, 2010, Maria Caro & Elizama Montalvo will travel to the Slow Food-Terra Madre event in Italy, they were selected as a delegate representing Puerto Rico.

Potassium Bromate in Bread... No no no!!!!

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is an oxidizing agent that has been used as a food additive, mainly in the bread-making process. Although adverse effects are not evident in animals fed bread-based diets made from flour treated with KBrO3, the agent is carcinogenic in rats and nephrotoxic in both man and experimental animals when given orally. It has been demonstrated that KBrO3 induces renal cell tumors, mesotheliomas of the peritoneum, and follicular cell tumors of the thyroid. In addition, experiments aimed at elucidating the mode of carcinogenic action have revealed that KBrO3 is a complete carcinogen, possessing both initiating and promoting activities for rat renal tumorigenesis. However, the potential seems to be weak in mice and hamsters. In contrast to its weak mutagenic activity in microbial assays, KBrO3 showed relatively strong potential inducing chromosome aberrations both in vitro and in vivo. Glutathione and cysteine degrade KBrO3 in vitro; in turn, the KBrO3 has inhibitory effects on inducing lipid peroxidation in the rat kidney. Active oxygen radicals generated from KBrO3 were implicated in its toxic and carcinogenic effects, especially because KBrO3 produced 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in the rat kidney. A wide range of data from applications of various analytical methods are now available for risk assessment purposes.

April 4 - Slow Food Springtime Community Meal

La primavera se acerca rápidamente, así que es una oportunidad perfecta para celebrar la temporada de esperanza, un nuevo comienzo y un sinfín de posibilidades, con de una comida de la comunidad de cola. El 4 de abril de 2010 a 1:00 pm; Slow Food-Boricua se enorgullece de presentar una primavera Fiestas de la Comunidad. Todos son bienvenidos a la muestra deliciosa comida vegetariana preparada por miembros de la comunidad amistosa de todo de la isla. Este evento se llevará a cabo en el estudio Elisabeth Mueller Yoga (www.yogaponce.com) En Ponce. Tenemos un pleno cocina funcional, excepto horno.

La admisión a este evento pionero:

Trae tu plato vegetariano favorito, postre o creativo (bebida de agua es un plus).

Platos biodegradables, utensilios y tazas (que se vende en La Chiwinha 787-925-0707) o simplemente traer plato, taza y los utensilios de la casa.

Toallas de papel y sillas plegables

A base de hierbas o de Flora Flora (se planta en el patio de la corte a las 4:00 pm)

Calendario para este evento:

1:45-2:20 -- Elizama Montalvo MD (Slow Food y la introducción de alimentos como de conferencias Medicina)

2:00-3:00 - Asesoramiento gratuito y numerología individuales con Francia (Lucero) Ruiz y sillón de masajes con Bartus Allen ... inscribirse rápidamente.

2:30-3:00 - Julie Mercardo nutrición (Ayurveda)

4:00-5:00 - Prof. Sara Quiñones (Q & A en casa consejos de jardinería) y la plantación en el patio de la corte.

5:00 pm-hasta - Música en vivo con Sana & Papo

Traiga musical instrumentos, juegos, chistes / historias, o una sonrisa cálida. Marque este evento en su el calendario y recordar a decir un querido amigo. Esperamos verlos allí y delicioso intercambio de placeres.

Ubicación: Calle Comercio 92
Ponce, Puerto Rico

Terra Marde Day Dec. 12, 2009

Terra Madre Day Around the World…

1,000 communities are celebrating Terra Madre Day this December 10, in one of the largest global occasions to promote sustainable food and ‘eating locally’.

Held on the occasion of Slow Food’s 20th birthday, Terra Madre Day is being celebrated by more than 100,000 farmers, producers, cooks, students, and consumers across the association’s network of 150 countries.

A global revolution can only grow from local roots, and together these community actions are building opposition to the negative impacts of agribusiness and promoting healthy food and communities.

Carlo Petrini
Slow Food President

After weeks of planning and selecting the appropriate activities for this special event, Slow Food-Boricua (SFB) finally embarked on a simple idea, the 3 F’s (food, festivity, and friends). Elizama discovered that 12/12/09 had healing properties in the Universe (please read below the specific of 12/12/09). Considering the purpose and goals that Slow Food International wanted to achieve, around the world,December 12, 2009 was the perfect day to celebrate global harmony. Before the event, SFB planted a small tree to symbolize the growth and welfare of future generations. Dear friends began to arrive at Green is Zen, the home of Slow Food Boricua President, Elizama Montalvo, M.D. Each guest prepared a dish from a traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. Zeneida prepared Azopao de Gandules, Angela & Abdiel made a yummy green salad, Elizama cooked Arroz con Gandules, Guineitos en Escabache, Batatas en Alimibar, and Pasteles ( vegetarian), Anabis & Dorita gathered fruits, hummus ( pita), juice, Lolin & Arturo amazed everyone with Ensalada de Name, and Elisa and Matt bought over orange & passion fruit juice. Before we enjoyed this wonderful vegetarian meal, we decided to stroll into the forest and capture the essence of the day. Along the way, we came across a herd of horse and a family of goats. Finally on route, we discovered an enchanted hidden river. To bring closure to our Terra Madre Day, we sat, ate, and shared the delight of friendship. Hopefully we can continue the work and mission of many communities around the world, especially those in the Slow Food network.

12/12/09 is THE HIGHEST energy wave released to Earth, in all time, ever before.
This energy wave is a Cosmic Burst of Love pouring into the hearts of
every man woman and child.
It is in this Cosmic Burst of Love that the core issues will be
healed, hearts will open up,
old programs will drop, and the merkiva in the crown and the merkiva
in the heart will be
in hyperdrive, receiving new coding for what is to happen next.
The Cosmic Burst of Love pulsing through the firmament crystal
tetrahedron core of each Planet in our Solar system,
through Earths core, and into each and every one of our hearts, will
be a giant wave of energy, washing over everything
You will feel so washed over in love, bliss, and joy,

This 12/12/09, the center of the three portals, is for Group collectives.
On 12/12/09, the focus for Earth is, all of the Groups that have been
working together in the past will in some way change.
If the Group has been working for the Highest Good of All, it will be
given a boost, abundance, new ways of Being More.
WIth the sudden increase in abundance to the Planet, and the
sudden increase in Light, new things will be possible, things that
were never possible before.
This will all happen with the support of the Cosmic Burst of Love.

What this all means is if you have a dream for Terra Nova (Mother
Earth), 12/12/09 is the day of Manifestation of Group Work.
Consider your heart's desire, and be ready on 12:12 to put it into
play. Even if you just take one baby step that day,
any effort you make will receive a great deal of support from the
Galactics and from the Angelic Helpers, as well as the entire
Universe.

Join together in meditation with your friends 12/12/09 to raise Group
Consciousness to the turning point the Kumaras
have waited for: The Trifold Flames in the Hearts of Humanity will be
pulsing to the same vibration of the Heart Core of Gaia/Vywamus
[Mother and Father Earth]
as we usher in the Golden Age. Begin your Celebrations and the Group
Meditations the night before, and continue the
Celebrations around the World until every time zone has walked through
the 12/12/09 Cosmic Burst of Love.
On 12/21/09 we will continue the Celebrations. 2009 IS THE YEAR FOR PEACE.
Thank you, Beloveds,
Metatron

Pot-Luck Dinner at "Green is Zen"
(Saturday, Nov. 7th, 2009) Slow Food/Community get-together at "Green is Zen", the refuge/home of Dr. Elizama Montalvo and Bartus Allen. Located in Montellano, also known as the "rainforest of the south", in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Green minds and hearts gathered on this magical day to share in delicious variety of vegan and organic dishes, desserts and healthy, luscious drinks. The 4 friendly dogs, guardians of the mountain retreat, gave the first welcome. The day began with an invigorating tropical rain fall, which the first two guests, along with our hosts, enjoyed in bathing suits! Emanuel's inner child spoke out to play in the rain, and so they did. As the heavenly waters purified each one, a small tour of the property, with various fruit and medicinal trees, small creeks, and a rock sculpture were seen. The rests of the guests arrived just in time as the drenched explorers dried off! They each brought smiles and a special dish to share including: Borscha Russian soup (brought by Elizabeth of Yoga Shala and husband Roberto), Mofongo balls (by Emanuel of Ondauraul Studio), Basmati Rice, aduki beans, "Green is Zen" avocados and passion fruit juice, and squash with cream of cashew soup ( Elizama), potato salad and "surprisingly good" avocado shake (Angela of SFB), salad and organic fair trade cocao and coconut balls (Silka of Mercado Ecologico de Ponce), Alberjas majadas ( Jorge, yoga instructor in Ponce, and wife Lucero), Pasteles organicos/vegans (Nelson of Finca Ecologica El Tazumal), Pesto potatoes and Pasta (Paca), Fruit Drinks (Carlo), a vegan coconut, chocolate pie (Bartus), and biodegradable utensils, plates, and cups from the La Chiwinha store in San Juan. The atmosphere was livened with the innocence, laughter, and games of Elizabeth's two little ones. Old and new friends shared in the relaxed atmosphere, making it fertile ground for flourishment of creative ideas for the present and future of el Mercado Ecologico, and other projects. Metamusic CD played in the background while Nelson enlightened us in the importance of organic farming. Tarot readings ( Angela's ancient wisdom) were also enjoyed on this night of many surprises.
Shooting stars in the night's sky ended a beautiful, yet fleeting day, which has nonetheless touched us all, who shared in each other's company, and motivated us to keep working as a community in the worthy ideals to create a healthier people and planet;)
Thank you to all who participated, and lets do it again soon!

Yoseline Mercado Santiago has moved on from Boricua- Slow Food; to pursue personal goals. We wish Yoseline the best in her career and individual path in life. We look forward to see Yoseline change the world in a positive way and we send her light to achieve her passion. Good Luck with all your dreams.

aBEEjas...

Since bees are a vital key to our delicate Eco-system. 

Boricua-Convivium had to base their foundation on the essential elements of life: food, water and air. Since the recent discovery of diminishing bee population. We had to address this problem, in order to bring balance to  our natural environment. Educating citizens about the importance of bees, hopefully their fears will lessen and increase our chances of restoring harmony amongst bees and humans.